Back promotion of Igbo culture, tradition in diaspora
Following the tensed fake news that has ravaged Ghanaian and Nigerian media in the last few days to paint the Igbo diaspora throne under His Royal Majesty, Eze Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, in a negative light, the Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District in the Senate, Senator Osita Bonaventure Izunaso alongside Chief Canice Moore Chigozie Nwachukwu, the member representing Oru East/ Orsu/ Orlu/ Federal Constituency, paid a courtesy visit to the charge D’Affairs Nigerian High Commission in Ghana.
During the meeting with the Charge D’Affairs Nigerian High Commission, Dayo Adeoye, Senator Izunaso, was duly briefed on the situation. The Charge D’Affairs informed him that the matter was already under control and that the rising tension had significantly de-escalated.
Adeoye assured the senator that as of today, Nigerians and Ghanaians are living peacefully and harmoniously.
He further confirmed that there had been no protests anywhere in Ghana and no arrests involving any Nigerian nationals.
The Charge D’Affairs further said that the Ghana government under Dr. John Dramani Mahama has no problem with Eze Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu, rather all they were hearing was a manipulation from the social media bloggers being sponsored by few individuals who are against his leadership.
After the briefing, Senator Izunaso thanked the High Commissioner for his swift and effective intervention with the Ghanaian government to help de-escalate the situation.
Furthermore, Senator Izunaso emphasised the significance of the annual New Yam Festival to the Igbo people. He described it as a vital cultural event, a moment of thanksgiving to God for the year’s harvest.
He explained to the Charge D’Affairs that it is customary and considered compulsory for every Igbo man or chief to celebrate the New Yam Festival in order to partake in eating yam throughout the year. He noted that this tradition is observed by Igbos all over the world, and Ghana is no exception.
He, therefore, advised the Nigerian High Commission to do more in communicating to the Ghanaian government the cultural importance of the New Yam Festival. He stressed that Igbos in Ghana should be allowed to celebrate this annual festival freely, as it is widely recognised and accepted globally.
Izunaso stressed that the Igbo Yam Festival is a core tradition and cultural identity of the Igbo people, and it is deeply valued without prejudice.
Meanwhile, Country Director on Media Strategy and Communications to HRM Eze Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu (Ezeigbo Ghana), Njoku Macdonald Obinna , has emphasised the regional influence and cooperation between Nigeria and Ghana as the two largest economies in West Africa, whose collaboration can strengthen their regional influence and their ability to address common challenges within the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) framework, appealing to the mischief makers and paid social media bloggers to desist from fanning the ember of controversy through misleading information and fake news.
