BY SAM DUVWODE
THE Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Non-Indigenes and Community Development, Lion Sir Anthony Chukwu, has strongly commended the Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) for its unwavering commitment to safeguarding and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Anioma people.
Fielding questions from newsmen at the 20th Anioma Cultural Festival held at the St. Patrick College grounds in Asaba, Lion Sir Chukwu described the annual event as a powerful platform for cultural continuity and sustainable development.
He emphasized that maintaining and sustaining cultural heritage is not merely an act of nostalgia, but a strategic imperative for identity, unity, and economic progress across the nine local government areas of Anioma and beyond.
According to him; “Culture and its festivals serve as a vital means of identification for any people, They project who we are to the world and have the potential to drive tourism, which in turn fuels sustainable development.
“The Anioma Cultural Festival has consistently preserved, promoted, and advanced our rich cultural heritage, ensuring that future generations remain connected to their roots.” Lion Chukwu stated.
He highlighted the profound value of sustaining cultural heritage, noting that it fosters positive self-esteem and a strong sense of natural identity among the people.
By encouraging the wearing of traditional attires, the festival reinforces pride in indigenous aesthetics and craftsmanship.
Chukwu further stressed that traditional crafts, when supported, become engines for technology transfer, tourism growth, and economic stabilization, particularly in rural communities where they create livelihoods and reduce urban migration.
“Research and proper documentation of our cultural heritage are equally critical. They ensure that our traditions are not lost to time but are preserved as living assets that can be studied, celebrated, and built upon for national development.”
The governor’s aide called on all Anioma indigenes and residents to cherish their culture and actively participate in its promotion. “We must continue to sustain these festivals and practices,” he urged. “They hold the key to greater development, unity, and prosperity across our communities.”
The 20th Anioma Cultural Festival drew large crowds, showcasing wrestling contest, vibrant displays of music, dance, traditional attire, and indigenous crafts, a vivid testament to OFAAC’s mission of keeping Anioma’s heritage alive and relevant in a rapidly modernizing world.
