Obi Achebe Urges National Summit UNESCO Recognition For Ofala Onicha

At the 23rd Ofala Festival in Onitsha on Friday, His Majesty Obi Nnameka Alfred Achebe called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to organize a non-partisan national economic and security summit.

 

This appeal comes in light of the pressing challenges facing Nigeria, particularly in the realms of economic stability and citizen safety.

 

Igwe Achebe underscored the critical need for the government to fulfill its constitutional duties in safeguarding the welfare of its citizens.

 

He noted that many concerned Nigerians and organizations have sounded alarms over an impending crisis that necessitates prompt and thorough management.

 

In his remarks, he referenced the tumultuous past year marked by political uncertainty following the general elections, coupled with a rise in insecurity and the abrupt removal of fuel price subsidies.

 

“The well-being of our nation has further deteriorated, evidenced by the ten-day national protest in August 2024 under the banner #EndbadGovernance. The two primary areas of concern—economy and security—have resulted in soaring living costs, business closures, job losses, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness and distrust in the government,” he stated.

 

Emphasizing the impact of corruption and the extravagant lifestyles of political leaders, Igwe Achebe pointed to a growing disconnect between the leadership and the people.

 

He specifically mentioned the troubling rise of violent crime in the Southeast, where unknown gunmen continue to pose a severe threat, leading to closures of schools and markets that impose significant economic burdens on the Ndi Igbo community.

 

This year’s festival theme, “Courage, Perseverance, Self-Reliance” (Onye kwe, Chi’e Ekwe), reflects the urgent need for self-sustenance as citizens grapple with government failure in its basic obligations.

 

In addition, Obi Achebe celebrated Ofala Onicha as a cultural cornerstone not only within Nigeria but globally.

 

He announced ongoing efforts to gain support from the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, as well as the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in a bid to secure UNESCO recognition for Ofala Onicha as a world heritage cultural festival.

 

This initiative aims to elevate the festival’s status and promote its significance as a unifying cultural celebration.

 

 

 

 

Oyenike Oyeniyi