Awka Youths celebrating Egwu-Imo Awka Festival
Contrary to the orders of the Anambra State Government suspending Egwu Imo Awka this year due to Covid-19 pandemic, many youths defied the order and went ahead with the celebration, report Mercy Hill, Alexander Johnson Adejoh and Precius Ihunanya Ukeje.
Many masquerades and their cohorts were seen on Monday celebrating at Eke Awka, Aroma junction and Amawbia axis.
Egwu Imo Awka, a festival at the heart of Awka people, according Ozo Nwude, is a celebration to mark the outset of the farming season and supplicate the god of progress. He said that the festival was the one bonded Awka people together and many Awka indigenes, irrespective of their city of residence in the world, usually trooped back home to celebrate it.
It will be recalled that Fides reported in its May 24-30, 2020 edition, the suspension of Imo Awka this year by the orders of the Anambra State Government. While many applauded the decision of the government, others, especially among young people, objected to the ban and threatened to go ahead with the celebration.
The number one citizen in the state had on 10th May through an announcement by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, ordered the suspension of the Egwu Imo Awka festival, as a way to curb the spread of the dreaded coronavirus. Both the Awka Development Union (ADUN) and HRM Dr Obi Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II of Awka supported the action of the government.
The dual announcement also called on the police and other security agencies in the state to ensure implementation of the ban.
However on Monday, May 24, around 3:30PM, youths of Awka community were seen defying the order. They however, held the first leg of the celebration, which was the short journey to Umuokpu community in Awka.
Speaking to Fides, one of the youth around cited around Eke-Awka axis, who refused to disclose his name said, ‘Yes, we heard of the suspension as announced by the government, but we cannot afford to abandon a celebration we have held for years because of Coronavirus.
‘We are ready for the worse, if Obiano likes he should release the entire Nigeria Army, Imo Awka must hold.
We have obeyed our elders and that is why we are doing it in a low key.
But to say we will not hold it at all, that is not possible,’ he affirmed.
Expressing what he called ‘bias governance’ the angry youth noted that amidst coronavirus the state government allowed churches and other places of religious worship to resume activities and as such they (Awka Indigene) must be allowed to carry out their traditional worship.
Fides media
Add Comment