Asagba, Aballa, Ukala, Ubulu-Unor Kings, Arc Ifeadi, Jibunor, Others Discuss Successful 19th OFAAC Celebration

Asagba Kings of Aballa, Ukala, Ubulu-Unor Arc Ifeadi, Jibunor, Others Meet Towards Successful  19th OFAAC Celebration 

L-R: Obi Frederick Chukwuloe Egbunkonye, the Igwe of Aballa Kingdom, the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Azinge and others

The Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) led by its its President, Architect Kester Ifeadi paid homage to the Asagba of Asaba, Professor Epiphany Chigbogu Azinge, SAN, at his palace. 

Other Anioma traditional rulers present at the meeting includes HRM Obi Fredrick Chukwuloe Egbunkonye, the Igwe of Aballa kingdom,  HRM Obi Henry Kikachukwu the king of Ubulu-Unor and second vice chairman Delta traditional rulers, HRM Obi Clement Ejiofor Obi of Ukala.  Architect Kester Ifeadi, the Chairman of OFAAC organizing committee briefed the Asagba and other royal fathers present on the preparations for the celebration. Ifeadi came in company with Chief Newton Jibunor the veteran desert explorer, environmentalist and Chairman, Board of Trustees of OFAAC. 

Arch Ifeadi proudly announced that OFAAC, an umbrella cultural body of Anioma nation, was founded in 2003 with the main objective of promoting the true Anioma identity. “We know who we are, we are bound by a unique culture and geographical  locations as a people”.

He explained that OFAAC is an association of the Anioma people founded by men and women who fought hard to preserve the cultural identity of the nation. The revered stool of the Asagba is our own because the 13th Asagba of Asaba, late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien was a founding father of this organization and gave his time, energy, resources, goodwill and rallied all traditional rulers to ensure the project was successful. His exemplary leadership installed the Asagba stool  pre-eminence in OFAAC. 

This is why we have come with the entire structures of the association and our Royal Fathers, to congratulate you on your ascension and activities so far. From what we have seen, you have filled the shoes left by the 13th Asagba of Asaba and taken it to another frontier. We are very proud of you and we got it right having you as our king, Arch. Ifeadi further buttressed.

Explaining further, Arch. Ifeadi said that in terms of identity which is a work in progress, the traditional dressing and dances of Anioma people are now front burners and can be attested to by the two page presence given to the OFAAC dancers in the recent Nigerian passport as contributed by OFAAC.

OFAAC as a body have sponsored members abroad, given microcredit to members who have proven that Anioma people are credit worthy through their encouraging repayment rate which according to Ifeadi, is over 90% and proves that integrity is key for  Anioma people. They also have special insurance schemes and death benefits for members. With about 2,000 volunteer members OFAAC is  apolitical reason the organization has been sustained for a period of 23 years because it welcomes all political inclinations for the growth of Anioma.

The OFAAC festival according to the president, has become a rallying point, where the people meet and is a legacy that must be sustained for the future generations. He informed HRM  that every Easter Monday has been designated to become ANIOMA DAY all over the world and was approved by the former Governor, H.E Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, who advised that the Royal Fathers come together to make that decree to their various people. Anioma day according to him, would be a day dedicated to showcasing the dressing, culture, traditions,music and dance of the Anioma nation anywhere any Anioma person finds themselves in the world.

“We are happy to announce that the 68 member bodies are now one. We had a trying period last year because of the death of the 13th Asagba, the Omu Okpanam and a couple of our founding members, we had to pay respect to their memories by suspending the last year festival but this year we will come back stronger” Arch. Ifeadi assured Nna Agu.

“We are here to pay homage to you and thank the throne for what the 13th Asagba of Asaba did for the association over 23 years ago. We also pray that yours will be a long rule for the benefit of Asaba and Anioma nation” Arch. Ifeadi prayed.

HRM warmly welcomed them, thanked the Monarchs present specially for finding time to leave their kingdoms and also thanked OFAAC for the respect given to the 13th Asagba of Asaba by shelving last year’s festival in his honour. “I know the late Obi Prof Chike Edozien’s dedication and commitment to OFAAC, He was a man of vision and wisdom. I appreciate this about him and have no option than to key in and follow the order, we are totally with you” HRM stated.

Nna Agu promised support in volunteerism and personal presence at the festival, He praised their ability to sustain the body for the past 23 years ago, which ordinarily is a herculean task for most Anioma bodies. OFAAC is so well structured and graded such that it has a cadre for traditional rulers and they will teach me the ropes by getting involved, reaching out and engaging with them because they have been there for a very long time” HRM Asagba Azinge noted.

Nna Agu thanked Arch Ifeadi and Chief Newton Jibunor (Desert warrior) especially for their support as he journeyed to the throne and friendship in the past years. “I agree with Arch Ifeadi that OFAAC is not just about the cultural renaissance but forging an identity for our people. I believe we are Anioma people and we have our own unique identity” Nna Agu pointed out.

HRM relayed to them that he raised two pertinent issues with Sen. Ned Nwoko regarding the Anioma nation during his visit to Abuja which are listed below:

  1. Yes ,we need Anioma but should we agitate for it or wait for the other part of Delta demanding their own state to automatically give us Anioma by default when they achieve their goal? 

To this, Asagba Azinge stated that the Senator agreed to his point but argued that he had gone far in his agitations.

 2. Will the Anioma nation remain the present nine local government areas or will it cut across the Niger? 

HRM made it clear to the Senator, that he wouldn’t support anything across the Niger because the Anioma  Identity and the identity of the people across the Niger is not the same and his personal opinion is not with prejudice against them because his grandmother and wife are from there.

“The goal of cultural renaissance through our clothing, dance etc being promoted by OFAAC should be supported by all Anioma people, I am glad our presence have been registered in the Nigerian passport and one thing I would verge for any time is that our cultural heritage is exceptionally rich compared to other nations, the message is strong and I promise you that under my watch I will sensitize our people more, so that we will come out in our numbers for all OFAAC festivals or activities to show we are part and parcel of it and show the level of our support, enthusiasm and passion for the mission” Nna Agu concluded.

 

Countdown To The 19th Celebration Of Anioma Cultural Festival, April 21: Organizing Committee Briefs Journalists

Earlier, the Organization For the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC), the umbrella body of Anioma Culture briefed the media on its scheduled date for the celebration of the 19th edition of Anioma Cultural Festival on Easter Monday, 21st April, 2025, at the Oshimili South Local Government Arcade in Asaba, Delta State.

The Organization’s President, Arc. Kester Ifeadi in a press conference at Orchid Hotel Asaba, recalled that the planned edition of 2024 was called off as a result of the unexpected demise of the former Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, the Omu Anioma/Omu Okpanam, Obi Martha Dunkwu as Patron and Matron respectively; while he also paid tributes to other founding members of the Organisation.

Ifeadi however, expressed optimism that the Organization in conjunction with the eminent Anioma Traditional Rulers were ready to showcase the best cultural outing of all times in this year’s edition of the festival.

Meanwhile, the abridged version of the excerpts of his media address reads as follows below;

“With utmost humility and sense of responsibility, I welcome you all to this press conference, especially our Traditional Rulers who are the custodians of our culture and traditions, our Board of Directors, members of the Organization and gentlemen of the press.

“I recall that sometime last year, we gathered in this form, where we told the entire world that our festival that has held for over 20 years was beng temporarily suspended in honour of these great men and women. Today, we pay tribute to all of them and many more that we have lost in the cause of this campaign.

“Over the years, we have made some landmark achievements. Our traditional dress has become a common place now. Our musical instruments and dance styles have become prominent. We were recently discussing with Traditional Rulers on the need to invest in the training of our young people in fluting skills, believing many of them would benefit from it; because that is also a key aspect of our culture that is dying or becoming extinct. Anywhere we are, the flute (Akpele) has become our signature tune. Most of you who are familiar with the Nigerian Passport know that before this recent one that some of us are still carrying, you will see what Anioma contributed in it. There are two Anioma Cultural dance groups that were depicted in that passport.The fact that OFAAC has provided a platform for the unity of our people is worth mentioning.

“Anioma Cultural Festival is a festival where you have the Ika man, the Ndokwa man, the Aniocha man, the Oshimili man and the Ukwuani man, all dancing together in happiness. All our Traditional Rulers from these zones making up Anioma are united on one common purpose under the platform of Anioma Cultural Festival. Those are part of what OFAAC has created as an initiative and we are very proud of that. The festival has also continued to act as a bridge between the different cultures in Delta State. This is evident by the attendance of Paramount Rulers from other parts of the State, including the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Pere Akugbene Mien and others who have in the past celebrated with us. 

Beyond that, we have the micro-credit scheme for our members. We have the death insurance policy for some of our members whom it has pleased God to call home. We have the Anioma essence and so many other ways of propagating our culture that we have sustained for the past 22 years. So, this is a veritable opportunity to appreciate all stakeholders in this Organization for all we have achieved. I pray that God gives us the strength to do even more for our people.

“We are going to give prizes and people have started donating the prizes as we speak. We are going to have our food on display and also come up with interesting varieties of our cuisine. So, this year is promising to be among the best, and we encourage everybody to be a part of it. We also promised you last year, that this year, we would come back with vengeance. This year, by the special grace of the Almighty God, we are happy that we are back and will do what we are known to do best. That is, the flagship of our Organization – the Anioma Cultural Festival. This is an Organization that has withstood all odds because it is non-partisan. It is purely to promote the identity of our people, because we know who we are. We are a unique set of people bounded together by geography and culture; and we are very proud of it. 

“I want to appreciate some of our sponsors over the years, who have been very magnanimous and who are still standing firmly with us. Most importantly is the Grand Oak (Distillers of the Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps). That is the drink of Royal Fathers. I don’t think there is any festival where you don’t have Seaman’s Aromatic Schnapps there, and now they are also going to be part of this year’s edition of Anioma Cultural Festival. Of course in the past, we had MTN, we have had Zenith Bank and most of the banks are also promising to be part of what we are doing this year. Most especially, the Delta State Government has always supported us, and as we seek and continue to count on their support, we pray that God continues to reward them. I want to appreciate all of you and I say God bless you all. Thank you”, Ifeadi posited.