THE FORTHCOMING NJIKO CARNIVAL IN IGBOLAND
Heritage is simply defined as the inheritance such as buildings,
monuments, or any property of an individual or a society. Whilst, cultural
heritage are the inherited qualities, traditions, ideas, or style of living of
an individual or a given society, which have continued over many years,
especially when they are considered to be of historical importance.
Undoubtedly, cultures to include dancing, masquerading, dressing,
sewing, hunting, fishing, singing, wrestling, moulding of sculptures, painting,
just to mention but a few, are essential developmental tools in any society or
nation. Culture is strongly connected with identity; and identity expressed
through culture is a necessity for all human developments. It creates the
fundamental building blocks in our respective personalities and in the ties
that link us to various communities and the nation we find ourselves.
To say the least; culture plays a unique and crucial role in a
development policy especially issues relating to human rights. A free and
staunch cultural heritage has the tendency of promoting other rights and values
including freedom of expression, diversity and debate about needs in a society.
Similarly, culture is a key player in the link between freedom of expression
and democratization.
Inter alia, culture can also
encourage the economic growth of either a nation or an individual, as the case may
be. Creative areas namely music, paintings, drawings and sewing can equally
serve as revenue sources. In fact, the encounter between culture, creativity,
technology and economy embodies a great potential in creating work places and
increasing exports, and also contributes to social inclusion.
Culture can as well assist in checking socio-political crises or
differences among members of a particular nation. It ensures unity during
crisis, and influences identity, debate and dialogue; thus, it is needed for nation
building, and for peace and reconciliation. Needless to say; it inspires
positive and tangible change, which we all anticipate. Survey indicates that
cultural cooperation is one of the most equality-oriented forms of
co-operations in existence.
Surely, the entertainment industry cannot be left out while discussing the
impact of cultural heritage on nation building. In the same vein, the tourism
of any nation cannot be discussed without mentioning its cultural diversity. Analysts
are of the view that the cultural heritage of any society contributes over
sixty-five percent (65%) of its tourist sector, which remains one of the
paramount Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) sources of any developed
society.
Indeed, tourism is one of the
backbones or engine rooms of any developed nation in the world, and such cannot
be possible without the impact of cultural diversity of the nation in question.
This implies that it is high time the Igbo nation, which is endowed with
hundreds of different cultural resources, started thinking of how to harness
the said endowments.
Unequivocally, considering the aforementioned profound benefits attached
to culture to include undiluted unity, societal development and absolute peace,
there is no gain reiterating the fact that the Igbo nation as a whole can only
restore her lost glory and dignity by embracing her unquantifiable cultural
heritage. It was against this background that one of the illustrious sons of
Igboland, Mr Charles Oputa (alias CharlyBoy) otherwise known as ‘Area Fada’ as
well as other distinguished fellows of like minds of Igbo extraction thought it
wise to come up with ‘Njiko Carnival’ with a view to reuniting the entire
teeming members of the inestimable Igbo nation, which mainly comprises Imo,
Anambra, Enugu, Abia and Ebonyi States.
‘Njiko Carnival’, which would be an annual event, is proposed to be the
first ever Igbo cultural carnival. The idea was borne out of a strong desire to
showcase the very rich cultural heritage of the South Eastern Region of
Nigeria, which is being neglected and eroded for decades now. The name ‘NJIKO’
meaning oneness/unity was coined as a clarion call to encourage the Igbos to
unite through the medium of Arts and Culture. Suffice it to say; any group that
represents the interest of the Igbo nation in its entirety is expected to queue
in towards ensuring that the proposed event becomes a tremendous success.
A carnival with an expected crowd of over one hundred thousand (100,000)
spectators alongside participants from all nooks and crannies of the South
Eastern States and beyond is one of a series of events aimed at engaging our
young ones especially the youth in resourceful and result-oriented activities
as long as it lasts. The venue for the forthcoming maiden edition of the Njiko
Carnival with the theme ‘The Rising Carnival’, which is scheduled to take place
on the 28th to 30th December 2015, is the beautiful
environment around the Blue Lake situated at the Oguta Ancient Kingdom in Imo
State – the Eastern Heartland. The said Blue Lake popularly referred to as
‘Oguta Lake’, which is reckoned to be the second largest of its kind in Nigeria,
was chosen owing to its potential as a perfect tourist location.
The highlights of this year’s Njiko Carnival include cultural display
from member/neighbouring states of the region, boat regatta, float parades,
traditional wrestling, musical concerts from veteran Igbo/Nigerian artistes,
cultural dances, coupled with the faces of various famous Nollywood actors,
comedians and sports personalities that would grace the occasion, amongst other
cultural displays too numerous to mention.
Presently, the Njiko Carnival has won the support of many prominent men
of Igbo origin such as the likes of Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (the Obi of
Onitsha), Sen. Ben Obi, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife and Elder Kalu, among others. However,
the fundamental objectives of the proposed cause/crusade, which include to
foster peace and unalloyed unity among the Igbos, to showcase the rich cultural
heritage of the South eastern region of Nigeria, as well as to use pop culture
to reach the youth, cannot be holistically actualized without the support of
all and sundry across the Igboland or anyone who thinks good of the Igbo
nation.
According to the National Coordinator of
the Njiko Carnival as well as the Chief Convener of the awaited 2015 episode,
Mr Charles Oputa – an exemplary artiste and a renowned producer in the entertainment
industry, the Carnival is targeted to attract a mass movement of people of Igbo
origin from all walks of life within the country and in the Diaspora, to unite
and celebrate the dense cultural heritage of the great Igbo nation.
The organizers of the forthcoming epoch-making ceremony (Njiko Carnival
2015) are using this medium to appeal to all the Igbos to endeavour to spread
the good news via their respective individual or collective capacities. It is
worth noting that the Igboland belongs to we all of Igbo extraction; thus, it
is our civic responsibility to revive its lost glory. And we can’t actualize
this by sitting on the fence. So, let your voice be heard. Think about it!
COMR
FRED DOC NWAOZOR
(The Media Ambassador)
Executive Director, Centre for Counselling, Research
& Career Development - Owerri
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056
Twitter: @fdnnwaozor
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