New Yam Festival: Ugwuanyi hails author of Igbo cultural calendar

Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has applauded Mr Emmanuel Ezikeanyi, who invented the Igbo cultural calendar in the state, saying it will help in promoting Igbo culture and tradition.

Ugwuanyi made the commendation in Nsukka on Thursday during the Iwa ji (New Yam Festival) of Nsukka Asadu (Nsukka town) and launching of its Igbo cultural calendar organised by Nsukka Town Union.

The nine communities that made up Nsukka Town Union are; Nguru Nsukka, Nru, Owere, Nkunano, Ezema/Edem , Ihe, Echara , Umuoyo and Umakashi.

He said that the cultural calendar was a landmark in preserving Igbo cultural heritage because it would help the present generation know dates of cultural events and their significance.

"This cultural calendar is commendable as it will enable the people to know, not only dates of events but as well as the significance of cultural events.

"I commend the inventor (Ezikeanyi) for his passion in promoting Igbo culture and tradition.

"The state government will give him the necessary support so that he can help other communities in the state to develop their own cultural calendar," he said.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in the state, Mr Ugonna Ibe, commended Nsukka town for organising the yam festival and launching of the cultural calendar.

Speaking, Chief Joseph Onyeke, the President General, Nsukka Town Union, said that the calendar was the first of its kind in the history of Nsukka Town.

"We are here today to witness the launching of Nsukka Asadu traditional yam festival and dating system packaged in a calendar form.

"This cultural calendar is the first of its kind in the history of Nsukka town

"This calendar will help our people know dates of our cultural events, their significance as well as serve as a reference point to generations yet unborn," he said.

Onyeke expressed appreciation to guests from far and near, especially Gov Ugwuanyi, who in spite of their busy schedules, decided to come and witness the epoch event.

Ezikeanyi, the inventor of the cultural calendar, said that he published the first edition in 2014 and since then it had become an annual publication.

Ezikeanyi, a graduate of Adult Education and Administration, University of Nigeria Nsukka said his aim of inventing the calendar was to give Igbo people alternative dating system from the conventional English calendar.

"My target is to ensure that Igbo people have a unifying calendar and dating system that will reflect days and time of our cultural events.

"To create Igbo traditional dating system and ensure that Igbo people have alternative dating system from the conventional calendar

"I want every community in Igbo land to have this calendar designed according to their cultural native events. It will help them to know the specific date of all traditional events of the year," he said.

Ezikeanyi however, appealed to Enugu State government, corporate organisations and philanthropists for sponsorship to enable him to do more in promoting Igbo culture.

The occasion was chaired by Chief Sam Onyishi, Chief Executive Officer of Peace Mass Transit Ltd, who hails from one of the communities in Nsukka town.

While Chief Walter Ozioko, the Chairman of Nsukka LGA was among dignitaries present.

Highlights of the event were, traditional wrestling, masquerade display and donations to launch the cultural calendar by guests