By Akuma
In its continuous effort towards fostering culture and tradition of Igbo race, the people of Akuzor village , Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area, Anambra State , recently converged to mark their annual festival code-named ‘Ntu festival’.
Ntu festival is a cultural festival usually celebrated by the Nkpor community and it is sequentially done by the 10 villages that make up the community in the order of their seniority.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman on occasion and the CEO Ebelechukwu Group of Schools, Sir Timothy Ebelechukwu Chukwukelu (Ezediebube Nkpor) welcomed all to the event and thanked them for honouring their invitation, adding that their presence made the celebration of their fathers’ heritage a reality.
Sir Chukwukelu thanked his people for their support and cooperation which, according to him, are serving as soothing balm towards the progress of their community.
Shedding light on Ntu Festival, Sir Chukwukelu said: “Ntu Festival is one of the greatest festivals the people of Akuzor village by extension Nkpor community often celebrates. The cultural heritage is annually celebrated by the 10 villages that make up Nkpor community. So, the villages take turn in order of seniority to mark the event.The festival is what our forefathers left for us, it is peculiar, rich and devoid of diabolism, so we can’t let it go into extinction. It is our heritage and it is worthy of celebrating and passing down from generations to generations,”he disclosed.
He encouraged the people to stand firmly to their father’s heritage, adding that it was the origin of their race. He, therefore, prayed for a successful cultivation and progress for all that came even as he wished them journey mercies to their respective destinations.
On his part, the Chairman of Akuzor Village, Mr Peter Chukwuka Okafor (Okenu Ezeani Nkpor )also said that ” it is a time for cultivation (ido ani aka nanti). It is a tradition our forefathers practised, their fathers also practised it and we are practising it.”
“The event is also a programme mapped in fostering the culture of showing love to one another.”
He appreciated everyone especially the organizers, the President General, the chairman on the occasion and all the members of the village.
Ezeani Nkpor used the medium to urge everyone particularly the youths to shun violence and seek for peace for the betterment of the community.
Also speaking, the Chief Security Officer, Nkpor Community, Chief Chris Okechukwu Udeze disclosed that the festival is what they normally observed once it is time to cultivate crops and also used the period to initiate their youths into masquerade group.
He advised the youths to work hard and never be discouraged by the current economic situation of the country, affirming that hardwork pays .
“No matter how hard the economic hardship bites,the youths should not be discouraged. They should know that their future is in their hands, hence they should shun all negative vibes and embrace hardwork which still pays, “he advised.
The youths leader of Akuzor community , Mr Osadebe Chukwulia (Ido Nkpor) described tradition as a good thing of joy, saying that Ntu Festival as the culture of the community should be promoted.
Highlights of the event were cultural dance and masquerade parade.
