A former Member of the House of Representatives, Chief Chinedu Onwuaso, has called for concerted efforts to safeguard the blacksmith industry, which Awka community is known for.
Speaking on ABS Radio audience participatory programme, Eko Awka, Chief Onwuaso, who represented Awka North and South federal constituency at the National Assembly from 2019 to 2023, emphasized that blacksmithing, which brought Awka Community to international recognition, should not be allowed to decline.
He tasked affluent individuals and Awka elites to synergize towards saving the industry from extinction.
Chief Onwuaso, an Engineer, suggested that the people of Awka should come together and propose the establishment of either a blacksmith village in Awka, the State capital, or a Federal University of Blacksmithing, which he believes, will motivate many youths, especially those from Awka, to study blacksmithing, both theoretically and practically.
Chief Onwuaso regretted that youths, who are future leaders, are following the wrong path due to poor orientation, calling on various communities to engage youths meaningfully to secure a bright future for them.
He encouraged those still practicing blacksmithing in Awka to showcase their products during cultural festivals like the Egwu Imoka festival, to promote the trade. He also urged Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Paul University to establish a Department of Blacksmithing to make the profession accessible to Awka indigenes.
Another guest, Chief Obiora Mbonu, described the blacksmith industry as lucrative and revealed that the giant gate at Buckingham Palace in London was constructed by two Awka indigenes, which serves as a reference point.
Chief Mbonu, a former councilor in Awka South local government area, called on the government to prevent the blacksmith industry from disappearing by encouraging those in the industry.
He suggested that the government should encourage Awka people engaged in blacksmithing by awarding them contracts to produce farm implements for distribution to practicing farmers, thereby sustaining the art of blacksmithing.
Callers on the programme, including Innocent Okoro from Eziagu, Enugu State, and Samuel Nwite from Ebonyi State, commended the Anambra Broadcasting Service for the programme, which promotes the identity of the people, and called for its sustenance
They also emphasized the need for concerted efforts to safeguard the art of blacksmithing, which is the pride of Awka Community.
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