Anioma nation, a Delta State socio-cultural group, has cancelled the celebration of its annual Anioma Cultural Festival for 2024 in honour of departed two Anioma monarchs – the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Chike Edozien and Omu Anioma, Omu Martha Dunkwu, who in their times supported the objectives of the Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture, the organisers of the cultural festival.
The festival usually held every Easter Monday with the monarchs usually in attendance.
OFAAC President, Mr Kester Ifeadi, revealed the decision to cancel this year’s edition on Wednesday in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
Ifeadi said the decision to cancel the celebration of the 2024 Anioma cultural festival was to honour and respect departed Anioma monarchs: the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Edozien and Ọmu Anioma, Omu Dunkwu, who in their time were strong pillars of support for the objectives of OFAAC.
He said, “You recall that the late monarchs were instrumental to uniting the nine local government areas of Delta North by playing host to the annual cultural festival.
“At this period when the burial rites of passage are still on, it will be most insensitive and lack of honour to hold the annual cultural festival when we are still mourning.
“Among these royal fathers who have been with us and encouraged us to succeed was the Asagba of Asaba, Obi Prof. Edozien, in whose domain we hold the cultural festival.
“The Asagba in his time attended all our festivals until recently when he could not, because of old age, but he ensured that his first class chiefs always represented him.”
Earlier, in his address, Obi of Ubulu-Unor, Obi Henry Kikachukwu, who was flanked by the Obi of Umunede and Obi Agadagidi Ezeagwu, recalled that the two traditional leaders were integral part of the success recorded in fostering of peace in Anioma nation.
He said that the deceased Asagba of Asaba and Omu of Anioma were instrumental to ensuring the promotion and preservation of Anioma cultural heritage.
