 |
| Dr Ikechukwu Asika |
By Okechukwu Onuegbu
In what could be described as a world meeting of literary giants, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, was shutdown last Friday, as the Department of English Language held her maiden edition of Opuluiche festival of Arts.
Opuluiche, an Igbo word literary translated as uniqueness, outstanding, exceptional, attracted some literary giants and award winners of various genres of literature, including HRH Igwe Chidubem Iweka, traditional ruler of Obosi in Idemili North LGA, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, Mr James Eze, Poet Chibuike Okafo; Mr Odili Ujubuonu; Okechukwu Onuegbu; Benjamin Okafor, among others.
The electrifying event declared open by the University Visitor and Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo represented by the Commissioner for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh; while the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha joined in making it a memorable event.
The Anambra State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Don. Onyenji also graced the scintillating event adjudged as the best in recent time by all, especially the scholars/lecturers from the department; alumnus of the department; patrons, award recipients and invited students from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Mater Amabilis and Maria Regina Secondary Schools.
The festival was indeed a show of talents invariably imbued with a sense of creativity and innovation, as the students performers and ever joyful Acting Vice Chancellor of the university enthralled and mesmerised the audiences with poetry renditions and electrifying dancing steps.
The epoch making event begun with arts and cultural performances, including mbem (fluting), masquerade performance, spoken words poetry, drama display, music and dance, climaxing into dramatising of Things Fall Apart, a world celebrated novel authored by Professor Chinua Achebe.
It further culminated into a talent hunt cum opportunity hub as talented students of the university and others from invited secondary schools won various cash prices and scholarships for thrilling and mesmerising their audiences with poetry rendition, dancing skills and outstanding performances as dramatis personae.
Some also smiled home with hundreds of thousands and other mouthwatering prices for emerging victorious at essay, poetry, drama and prose competitions instituted by distinguished personalities within the university community and beyond such as professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, Dr Ikechukwu Asika, William Mbah, Sir Toby Okoye, Ilikwu Odinakachukwu (Tiana), among others.
Speaking at the occasion, governor Chukwuma Soludo, while praising the citadel of learning for improving greatly in infrastructure and teach and learning, charged students to study hard to prove their worth while imbibing various virtues and skills capable of making them employers of labour upon graduation.
Contributing, the State Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Don. Onyenji, who expressed satisfaction over the performances, urged the university to sustain the tempo as it would according to him, help in promoting African languages and culture, while creating jobs for the students in the field of arts, education and movie/entertainment industry.
Responding, Acting Vice Chancellor, COOU, Professor Kate Omenugha, hailed the Head of the Department of English led by Dr Ikechukwu Asika for taken the lead in marketing the institution to the world with lots of creativity and innovation, even as she reassured them of her support towards sustaining the programme.
On her part, a literary giant, Professor Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, while unveiling Ife-Nkiri, a poetry collection in honour of the Acting VC, commended the department for engaging in the worthwhile venture, which according to her, would go a long way in advertising the institution to the world.
On his part, the host and Head, Department of English Language, Dr Ikechukwu Asika, who expressed happiness over the large turnout of people to the event, noted that he was optimistic that the colourful event had reinforced and empowered the participants to become change agents, distinguished professionals and captain of industries.
According to him, Opuluiche was actually aimed at showcasing the uniqueness Igbo culture, and plans were on the way to make it an annual event, which would among other things, enable the students to imbibe the practical aspects of their learning and skills needed to excel in life.
On his part, the Royal father of the day and Traditional Ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, while presenting some poems, charged students to become promoters of African culture, especially the Igbo language and tradition with a view to preserving and sustaining the identity of Igbo nation whose uniqueness and healthy is second to none.
Also speaking, Comrade Peter Nwosu, who presented some of the outstanding students with scholarships, said he was impressed with the students performance and would support the programme so as to promote Igbo culture.
To the newly installed Patron of the department, High Chief Stanley Obodoagu represented by Hon. Afam Okonkwo; awardees, Chukwuemeka and Nwosu Ugonna, the event had inspired them to invest into the students and the department more so as to contribute towards rasing talented and cultural aware generation.
In their separate contributions, Event manager and awardee, Lady Ilikwu Odinakachukwu, and the Director, Anambra Films Village, Lady Chinyere Okonkwo, urged students not to take the event for granted but should incorporate what they have learnt as well as acquire relevant skills needed to distinguish themselves as employers of labour.
The event also featured presentation of pillar, icons and alumnus awards to some deserving personalities, unveiling and launching of Opuluiche and Grammarian digest, Ife-Nkiri: a collection of poem in honour of the Acting Voice Chancellor, among others.