Parishioners of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Housing Estate Bridgehead, Fegge, Onitsha South Council Area have organised a cultural fiesta aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo.
The reports that it was heralded with a holy mass co-celebrated by Reverend Father Dr Daniel Onuorah and the Parish Priest of Our Lady Queen of Peace, Reverend Father Basil Okelu.
The premises of Ugborimili Primary School Bridgehead Housing Estate was filled to capacity, with parishioners from the five states of the Southeast geo-political zone, all dressed in different traditional attire depicting their roles at the event.
In his homily at a mass to mark the event, Reverend Father Okelu said that the aim of the event was to remind the parishioners that they are brothers and sisters, irrespective of their states of origin, adding that it can only be seen through the common language of love exhibited by Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind.
He called on Christians to see love as the language that binds everyone as a family in Christ, and urged the congregation to always look out for their brothers and sisters with love, in order to make the world a new and better place to live in.
In his remark after the Eucharistic celebration, the Chairman on the occasion, Chief Donatus Nwachukwu, who commended the steps taken by the parishioners to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo, said that the feat will help to teach the children their culture and tradition, regretting that a lot of young people do not know anything concerning their culture, and called on parents to teach their children Igbo culture and tradition.
In an address, the Secretary of the organizing committee, Engineer Mark Dike, said that the cultural fiesta was aimed at promoting Igbo culture and tradition, which he said is under threat of extinction, stressing the importance of safeguarding and protecting Igbo cultural heritage to stand out among equals for the future generations.
Speaking to the ABS, the Chairman of the planning committee, Sir Ikechukwu Maduka, described the cultural fiesta as first of its kind in Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese, as parishioners use the occasion to explain to people the difference between Igbo culture and idol worshipping, and harped on the need for parents to teach their children Igbo language, culture and tradition.
In their separate interviews, the Grand Patron of the Church, Chief Ignatius Agbalizu, and Chief Ikechukwu Ezenwa warned that Igbo culture should not be allowed to die, stressing the need for parents to inculcate in their children the need to uphold their culture and tradition for posterity.
Some parishioners who contested for the traditional stool of the Church, Mr. Michael Abaro from Enugu State, and Chief Cypril Nwankwo, expressed joy and gratitude to God for the success of the event, adding that the fiesta will help in teaching their children Igbo language and culture, even as he called on parents to adopt the initiative.
Highpoints of the event were traditional dance by various groups, teaching and displays by Reverend Father Fidelis Onwudiufo known as “Okenye Olisabuluwa”, even as various Igbo delicacies were served at the event.
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