By Chidimma Okoye/Ngozi Nnajiofor
ANAFEST is a world class Cultural celebration of the people of Anaocha LGA where they display their rich cultural heritage, celebrate their talents and innovations, give recognitions to the illustrious sons and daughters of Anaocha who have distinguished themselves by giving back to the society in philanthropy and those who have also distinguished themselves through excellent performance in their different endeavors in life, by traditionally coronating them with titles and by given them meritorious awards to encourage them to do more.
All the 10 communities in Anaocha also came together as one peaceful LGA to celebrate their annual new yam festival together every October 18 as ANAFEST Day.
The event, which took place at the LGA headquarters Neni with this year’s Theme, “Culture Meets Innovation: Preserving our Roots, Shaping our Future, also had its traditional rulers confer on Governor Chukwuma Soludo their prestigious Chieftancy title of Ekwueme Anaocha, for the developmental strides of his led administration in Anaocha LGA and the State at large.
The Executive Governor of Anambra State Governor Soludo congratulated Anaocha LGA on ANAFEST festival which showcased their bounty harvest of massively sized yam and other farm produce.
He said that Anambra people are know for their enterprise, hard work, integrity as virtues, and eulogized Anaocha people for going back to farming instead of going on hunger protest, noted that the farm produce from his wife’s garden in Government house is being enjoyed by many.
Governor Soludo stressed that petty traders, Vulcanizers, Okada riders, wheelbarrow pushers, truck pushers, hawkers, should be exempted from taxation of all sorts in the market places said that APGA is party committed to lifting the poor.
He said that his administration recruited 8,115 teachers within one year plus, to ensure quality teaching in public schools. This he said, which has brought about winning of national honours and prices in public schools.
Speaking further, Governor Soludo said that Anambra State won award with $500, 000 as the best in South East of Nigeria for Primary Health Care Services and 700,000 Dollars as the best in Nigeria for Primary Health Care Services.
In his remarks, the Chairman of 2025 ANAFEST Barr. Chukwudi Oli said that the cultural festival brings together Igbos from across the globe to celebrate heritage, creativity, wisdom, unity saying that ANAFEST gives a stage for talents to thrive.
He said that the cultural festival is the identity and strength of the collective voices of the people, declaring that Anaocha LGA and Anambra State are not rich in land and resources, but are also rich in culture, tradition and unity.
“History is made from ANAFEST for posterity sake. As we celebrate cultural, we preserve our roots, As we embrace tradition, we shape our future. When we unite as one, there is nothing we cannot achieve.
“We confer Chieftancy titles and awards on deserving sons, daughters and friends of Anaocha” Barr. Uli said.
He said that the most significant thing about ANAFEST to an Igbo man is the performance of the sacred rite of honoring the Yam as the king of crops (ILi Ji), during which the farmer with the largest yam (Eze Ji) is recognized.
The Mayor of Anaocha LGA, Hon. Rome Ibekwe described ANAFEST as not just as an entertainment but as a collective heritage that serves that serves as a bridge between the past, present and the future of Anaocha people.
He said that as they celebrate their masquerades, dance and communal spirit, they remind the world that culture is the soul of the people and that as long as culture thrives, the people will never die
He eulogized Governor Soludo for all his developmental works in Anaocha LGA and in Anambra State at large ranging from security which made it possible for people to come from far and wide for the festival, to Education, infrastructural development, provision of basic amenities, road construction with the highest kilometers in Anaocha, Health, Education and Agricultural sectors.
Hon. Ibekwe congratulated Governor Soludo on his New Chieftancy Title of Ekwueme Anaocha, stating that it a well deserved conferment for his many visibly completed and ongoing projects in the LGA which have affected lives of the people at the grassroots.
The Anambra State APGA Chairman, Barr. Ifeatu Obiokoye, expressed his happiness that Governor Soludo’s various endorsements is being propelled by the people themselves because the proof for all the work he has done are visible in all the communities of the state.
He described the Mayor of Anaocha, Hon. Ibekwe as one full of positive surprises at the rate with which he is working in line with Governor Soludo’s administrative pillars.
Barr. Sly enjoined him to remain focused and keep working in line with the Governor’s agenda for the State.
The Anaocha APGA woman leader, Hon. Ijeoma Sunny Egbuna said that Governor Soludo’s led administration has given women voice which has been emulated by the 21 LGA’s of the State.
“Market women have voice in this government: 1 youth, 2 skills, have given women equal recognition. Women enjoy free Anti natal care and deliveries in this same government. In political appointments, the Governor has carried women along,” she said.
Dr. Mrs. Susan Ajulufo, former Neni President General women wing, called on woman to come out en mass on November 8 to exercise their civic responsibility of casting their votes.
She enjoined women to disabuse their minds from the negative belief that their votes do not count.
“I am here as Inyom Ugoma Neni in solidarity with women to disenfranchise themselves” Dr. Ajulufo said.
20 Anaocha men, three Anaocha women and four friends and well-wishers of Anaocha were also conferred with various chieftancy titles.
Amongst them were Governor Chukwuma Soludo – as Ekwueme Anaocha; Hon. Rome Ibekwe – Ezeugo Anaocha His wife Pharm. Chidimma Ibekwe as Orji Ugo Anaocha; and Barr. JPC Anetoh, Principal Secretary to Governor Soludo- Ugo Obiocha Anaocha.
There were many side attractions including sounds display like Ogene, Ekwe, Oja sounds, traditional spoken words (Mbem), cultural dances, masquerade dances, and boxing competition.
Chidimma and Ngozi are of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
