By Cosmas Omegoh
Members of Awo Idemili clan in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State resident in Lagos lately staged their grand cultural day to end the year on a high. The organisers came under the aegis of Awo Idemili Clan Welfare Union (AIWU), Lagos.
•Okachamma Dance Troupe
It was learnt that each year in November Awo Idemili people gather to mark the end of the year, showcasing their rich culture and tradition and carrying out other activities of interest.
But once every four years, the people stage a grand carnival, which brings other spectacles to the menu, leaving attendees totally enthralled and entertained.
•Awo Idemili nmasqurade entertaining at the event
Sunday, November 21, 2023, was one of such Awo Idemili’s days in the sun. Tens of thousands of people from the area and their guests gathered at the clan’s festival ground in Egbe, Ikotun, Lagos State, to celebrate life and culture.
The meeting was marked with music, masquerades and dance. It also featured the lunch of the people’s 2024/25 calendar and brochure, honours and fund-raising, among others.
As early as noon, the arena was already electrified with excitement. Thousands kept streaming in to be a part of the show. Masquerades from the area were already out on adjoining streets entertaining people gratuitously. A crowd of youths, including residents of the area, was also out there gyrating to the pulsating blasts of music.
One could distinguish the indigenes from their guests; most of the former – men, women, youths, and children – donned the same colours, looking resplendent.
About 13 communities that make up the clan were gathered under their respective canopies. The canopies were laid out strategically in the arena that was a little short of a football pitch.
Gradually, every inch of space was virtually taken up. Large enthusiastic crowds kept surging forward, angling to catch their breath and see action from a live band at the corner whose dancers were sending the arena into rapture.
The event, which came under the chairmanship of Chief Ifeanyi Nwadikwa, officially opened with prayers said by Chief Emma Uba.
In his opening speech, the chairman thanked God for the gathering and progress made by the people. He expressed the hope that the days ahead would usher more progress to the people. Then he declared the event open, thus flagging off a flurry of activities.
Kola nut was served and blessed by Eze Kenneth Ekwomadu, the Okukoro II of Isiama community. He prayed for peace, blessings, fertility and life to the communities, and called for a one-minute silence in honour of many departed.
Then, the president-general of AIWU, Lagos, Prince Ignatius Ngodi, blessed the day and the events to follow, some of which he recalled hold once every four years. He hinted that those to be honoured deserved their award and set out his congratulations, while urging everyone to sit back and have a fun-filled day.
Then began a raffle draw. Various items such as smart phones, electric pressing irons, standing fans, power generator and a deep freezer were won. The star prize went to a certain Chisom from Alaba area of the state who won a brand new tricycle.
The clan went on to launch its 2024/25 almanac and brochure, both of which were well patronised.
The elders showed how to recognise and celebrate their own by inducting 12 new patrons. They also handed out awards in various categories to their sons and wives.
Intermittently, masquerades of various hues charged in to up the tempo of the event.
Various women’s dance groups, among them the Okachamma troupe, kept their fans busy.
Then, there were lots of food and drinks to go round; distribution was so orderly that it earned the events’ organising chairman, Chief Paul Obioha, full marks.
Reflecting on the outing, Prince Ngodi recalled: “This cultural carnival holds once in four years. Every administration holds it once before leaving office.
“Our elders formed AIWU in 1952. So last year, we marked our 70th anniversary with pomp and ceremoney.
“On a day like this, we feature our masquerades. Awo Idemili has the best of exotic masquerades which are a delight to watch.
“Today, we handed out 58 awards; 12 more persons were made our patrons. At the same time we gave out great-grand patron award to Chief Emma C. Uba, the Ikeoha Orsu; that was the high point of our honour. We have never honoured anyone with that before now.”
He informed that the proceeds of the event would go as palliative to indigent members of the clan at home, declaring the event a huge success.
Earlier, Chief Uba had announced that a foundation was underway to raise seed money for youths and other individuals to start their own businesses.
One of the prominent indigenes of the clan, Prof Benjamin Ekenyem, Vice Chancellor, Vision University, Ado-Odo, Ota, Ogun State, described the carnival as “a very healthy development.” He added that “part of the essence was to encourage our people to meet one another on such occasion after long years, and to showcase the rich culture of our people.”
He also called for more cultural content in subsequent editions.