Hold cultural fiesta
It was time of joy and felicitation recently in Spain as Ndigbo in their thousands converged on Valencia for their annual cultural festival. Their host was Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu.
Daily Sun learnt that flute sounds (oja) and drumbeats filled the air as women, youths and titled men clad in rich traditional attires danced to the rich tune of Igbo music.
On hand to grace the occasion was the president of the association, Chief (Dr) Mishak Nnanta, the Eze Ndigbo of Warri, Eze Peter Chukwu and other Igbo titled men.
As the cultural dancers charged into the arena, the venue was thrown into frenzy as the guests shuffled their feet to some melodious tunes. Occasionally title men exchanged pleasantries raising their walking stick (mpara) and hand fan (akupe) to the admiration of the crowd.
In his address, President General of Igbo World Union, Chief Mishak Nnanta paid tribute to Igbo founding fathers who deemed it feat to establish towns unions in their respective places of abode adding that such associations had become part of the bedrock of Igbo cultural civilisation.
He said that the goal of the union as a socio-cultural group was to foster unity among Ndigbo at home and in the Diaspora through cultural awareness. “As you may know, Ndigbo reside in virtually all parts of the world and that is why we ensure that cultural festivals are held from time to time as this will help preserve the Igbo language and culture and prevent it from going into extinction.
Speaking further, the Olokoro-Umuahia-born, cultural activist said the festival which held in Valencia, Spain, afforded Ndigbo in that part of the world, the opportunity to meet minds on how to inculcate Igbo values in our children and to also inform people out there that Ndigbo have rich cultural values which dated back to years before the first European set his feet on Africa.
While commending the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu, for her motherly role in ensuring the success of the festival, Chief Nnanta described her as a rare gem whose contribution to Igbo cultural development would forever be remembered.
In her address, Amb. Ojukwu call on Ndigbo to continue to be their brothers’ keeper in all their endeavours. She said: “As a people who take delight in helping one another, you should continue to cooperate among yourselves and in no time, you will achieve your goals.”
While commending Igbo World Union for taking the initiative, Ojukwu liken ed their venture to that of her late husband, Ikemba Odumegwu Ojukwu who used all his resources to promote the survival of Igbo race. She called on them to shun any tendency that could lead to divisions among them.
In his own remarks, the Eze Ndigbo of  Warri, Eze Peter Chukwu, called on the Ndigbo to unite in purpose and idea and shun any attitude that could soil the names of ordinary Igbo man.
While describing the Ndigbo as highly enterprising and intelligent people, Eze Peter urged them to contribute to the survival of Igbo culture by speaking Igbo Language to their children.
Earlier in his speech, Chief Nnanta, explained that his love for Igbo culture moved him into becoming a crusader for the unity of the Igbo race through cultural awareness.
He said Igbo World Union had always cooperated with other Igbo socio-cultural groups like Ohaneze Ndigbo, Aka Ikenga and others to move the Igbo nation forward.

Day Ndigbo set Spain agog with culture