It was a display of cultural heritage and Igbo identity as Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area celebrated the grand finale of their Afia-olu festival and cultural day which attracted people from all walks of life including the Majority Leader of Anambra State Assembly Honourable Ikenna Ofodeme, the Ekwusigi Council Chairman, Honourable Chimezie Obi, a philanthropist, Sir Emeka Offor and some foreign dignitaries among others and featured cultural dances from various groups and displays by masquerades.
Afia-olu according to the traditional ruler of the Community Igwe Daniel Udoji, is celebrated to thank God for successful planting season and bountiful harvest, urging the community to uphold the spirit of unity while an illustrious son of the community and philanthropist, Sir Emeka said the community will sustain the celebration of its cultural heritage.
In his speech, the President-General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Sir Vincent Dike while commending the Organising Committee for a successful ceremony, urged the people to focus on things that unite the community while the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Chukwudi Ufondu called for the establishment of a trust fund to promote skill acquisition that will equip youths to become self-reliant and reduce crime and social vices.
Also speaking, the Chairman Planning Committee of the festival, Chief Dan Onwughalu expressed satisfaction with the success of the ceremony and promised that future celebration will be more colourful with more cultural activities, while the Chairman Publicity and Protocol Committee Elder Emma Nzomiwu urged youths to participate actively in cultural activities of their communities to promote their heritage and cultural identity.
