Nnewi in Anambra State was agog the past weekend as the Afia Olu festival came to a grand and spectacular close with telecommunications firm, Globacom Nigeria Limited spicing up the festival with gifts and a loaded attraction of activities to the delight of indigenes and visitors alike.
According to ‘Suyi Ayodele of Globacom, from the football competition to the masquerade parade at the Triangle Arena, the brand Glo was there all through to add value to the celebrations which ushered in the harvest season for the people of Nnewi.
“The icing on the cake for the celebration was the staging of the ever-popular Glo Rock N Rule concert at the open field of the Nnewi High school where the company paraded the best of entertainment and fun to the delight of the people who thronged the venue of the show in their thousands,” he said.
Artists on hand at the concert which the indigenes described as the best ever in the community included stand-up comedian Okey Bakassi, who anchored the show, the popular Nollywood actor, Nonso Diobi, Felix Ndukwe, who added spiritual dimension to the show, Uncle O of the “Form a Circle Gyration,” the Afro hip hop act Eedris Abdukareem and rapper Nigga Raw.
The show was also a parade of local and budding artists such as Destiny Boys, Jamaika, Hot Span, Tata Nation, Black Culture, the Saints Dancers and Hekeman Hip Hop.
Seven beautiful girls of Nnewi origin were also given the opportunity to compete for the Miss Afia Olu beauty crown and the winner, Miss Ogwuleka Chidalu a 200-Level student of Pharmacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, went home with a cash prize of N100, 000 while the first runner up, Ngige Kosi Vivian got N75, 000.
The masquerade dance display was a spectacle to behold as various masquerades in various shapes and sizes were on ground at the arena, with the evil forest itself, the biggest of the masquerades, closing the parade with the offensive odour that evil forest is associated with.
In the football tournament, Nnewichi football team held its opponent, Uruagwu to a goalless during the regular time. Nnewichi lifted the coveted trophy and a cash prize of N200, 000 after edging out it’s opponent in the penalty shoot out that ended at 4-2.
The chairman of the 2011 Afia Olu Festival, Chief Charles Agu Onyeka, the Ike-Ora Nnewi, in his welcome address, lauded Globacom for its efforts at ensuring that the festival was given its place in the comity of festivals in Africa.
Chief Onyeka noted that the firm’s participation in the 2011 edition of the Afia Olu was “a further proof of its wider acceptance and acknowledgement as a world class cultural fiesta”.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Deputy Governor, Financial Stability, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu; Speaker, Anambra state House of Assembly, Hon Princess Chinwe Clara Nwaebili and her deputy, Chukwudi Orizu.
Others include a member of the House of Representatives, Hon Chris Azubogu, a Second Republic senator, Onyeabor Obi, Transition Chairman of Nnewi North Local Government Area, Chief Patrick Ubajaka and Chief Slyvester Ojukwu, the first son of the Ikemba of Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
bivnze's space 