Community High School, Adazi-Enu, Community High School, Akwaeze and Union Secondary School, Agulu have clinched the first, second and third positions in the Igbo cultural dance competition organized by Ada Anaocha Organization.

 

They went home with one hundred and fifty thousand naira, one hundred thousand naira and fifty-thousand-naira respectively.

The competition tagged,”Asomumpi Asusu Igbo Na Egwu Odinana,”a Pet project of the Sixth Ada Anaocha 2023, was held at Community High School, Akwaeze with students and teachers dressed in colourful Igbo attires, from fourteen secondary schools across Anaocha Local Government Area, in attendance.

 

The event began with an opening prayer by the Manager of Community High School, Akwaeze, Reverend Father Daniel Odumegwu while, the Palace Secretary of Akwaeze community, Chief Pius Mbanefo performed the kola nut rituals on behalf of the traditional ruler of the town Igwe Christopher Okpala.

Speaking on the essence of the competition, the Sixth Ada Anaocha, Miss Chinagozim Eziuzor explained that the event is part of her contribution to the development of Igbo language and culture and appealed to Igbo parents, teachers and children to join in the efforts to prevent Igbo language from going into extinction by speaking the language and being proud of it.

 

The representative of the Ada Anaocha Organization, Mr Cosmas Okwudili noted that Ada Anaocha Pageant is an annual event in Anaocha where beauty queens are selected and Queen Chinagozim being the sixth Ada Anaocha, chose Asomumpi Asusu Igbo na Egwu Odinana as her pet project which was the reason for the gathering of secondary school students in the Local Government Area.

In his remarks, the President -General of Akwaeze Town Union, Professor Ignatius Maduka who also represented the Vice-Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone said it is a thing of joy to hold such an event in Akwaeze and congratulated the organizers for using such platform to encourage Igbo children to take pride in their language.

 

Others who spoke including the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists,Anambra State Council, Dr Emeka Odogwu, Board Member, Post Primary Schools Service Commission, in-charge of Awka Education zone, Dr Uchenna Okeke, President -General, Adazi-Enu Town Union, Sir Chiagozie Ejidike among others lauded the pet project calling for its sustainability.

The event featured cultural dance by participating schools, presentation of cheques and certificate to the participants as well as consolation prizes.