Culture lovers and students of various tertiary
institutions in the nation on Monday, December 31, 2012 gathered in Ibusa in
Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State to celebrate the first
annual Igbuzo Day organized by the National Association of Ibusa Students
(NAIBS). The occasion was marked with a beauty pageant tagged “Face of NAIBS”
and dancing competition for cultural groups of Ibusa extraction.
Mr. Emeka Esogbue who stood in for the Caretaker Chairman
of Oshimili North Local Government Area as the Chairman of the Occasion
stressed on the need to preserve Ibusa culture, noting that change was
inevitable in the community. He described Ibusa as a close-knit community with
unique beliefs, rules of behavior, language, rituals, arts, technology, styles
of dress, ways of producing, cooking food, religion, political and economic
systems. Mr. Esogbue lamented that the community’s festivals and native dance
are increasingly facing extinction even as heritage of peace is also eluding
the community.
He used the opportunity to remind the state government
that Ibusa does not have a government coeducational secondary school and that
with the handing over of St Augustine’s College to the missionary owners, male
children in the town no longer have access to public school in the town. On
continual loss of values, he recommended enculturation as a way out. Mr.
Austine Ogechukwu Nwulia, the President of the National Association of Ibusa
Students, welcomed guests to the cultural event. He highlighted on the aims and
objectives of the organization while calling on students of Ibusa origin to
identify with the Association as way of making the students of the town speak
with one voice.
A keynote speaker, Philip Ngozi Ifechukwude-Kwusike
decried the community’s deviation from beauty of tradition which she was known
for over the years, which he blamed on the influx of Pentecostal and orthodox
religions he said conflicts with Ibusa tradition. At the dance group category of the dancing
competition, Ayollo Anioma emerged as the winner while Dynamic Gospel
Entertainment World, Ibusa and Ogoli Mali Nso Die Cultural Dance Group, Ibusa
came second and third. Miss Vivian Uchunor emerged the new Face of NAIBS for
2013 while Jennifer Obiofuma and Rita Okonji were first and second runners-up.
Obi Akaeze Ijeh who was also present at the event called
on all to work towards preserving the culture of the community. Culture ahe
said remains an important instrument of development in any given society and
Ibusa must preserve her cultural heritage to make progress.
The audience was thrilled by Ubo’Ogazu Ogboli and Ijele
Boys Group and Aguba performers while the anchor-person was ace comedian and
actor, Mr. Osadebe Izuorah.
Our culture will never die.
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