(FILES)- A March 2, 2012 file photo shows an Ohafia cultural troupe entertaining bystanders during the burial of Nigeria’s secessionist leader Odumegwu Ojukwu at his native Nnewi country home, in Anambra State eastern Nigeria. Odumegwu Ojukwu, who championed the campaign for an independent Republic of Biafra in eastern Nigeria in the 1960s culminating in a 30-month civil war which left more than a million dead was buried at his Nnewi family home in Anambra State. Its name is synonomous with the declaration of independence and updates on the brutal conflict that followed, but nearly 50 years after Nigeria’s civil war, Radio Biafra is again making headlines. AFP PHOTO
Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu; National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the Chairman, Capital Oil and Publisher of The Authority Newspapers, Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah, are among the eminent personalities billed to grace the Igbo unity festival, holding Saturday, November 26, at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Others include, Prince Authur Eze and governors of the Igbo speaking states of Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, Imo, Delta and Rivers.
A statement by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Tobechukwu Ezeani, said “Igbo Community in Lagos is set to storm the city with a captivating cultural fiesta come November 26, at the National Stadium, Lagos in a manner not seen or rivaled in recent times. The traditional gong has been ceremonially released and the town criers have been given the mandate to announce to all Igbos in Lagos to turn out in their best and embrace this carnival with pomp and celebration.”
According to him, the carnival, tagged ‘Ndigbo Unity Rally’, is propelled by a deep consensus among Igbo’s in Lagos and the Diaspora that “our spectacular cultural diversities must be harnessed as a showpiece of our strength in unity, and speed through oneness”.
Chief Ezeani added, “our heritage as a people is among the world finest. Our committee is working in concert with leading business entrepreneurs, the intelligentsia, town unions and market associations to renew and revive our best today for a bigger tomorrow.”
He said Ndigbo are being mobilised for a productive leap to the next level possible through the awakening of shared values of love, unity and accommodation.
“We are inviting all nationalities, especially our dear host community, to this epic cultural confetti because the bond of humanity is most eloquent in sharing. After all, a masquerade cannot enjoy dancing without spectators,” he said.
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