Nwada Anioma: Our Pageant Will Resuscitate the Role of Umuada in Anioma - HOM International CEO, Patrick Okolie

 

Nwada Anioma: Our Pageant Will Resuscitate the Role of Umuada in Anioma

 

-       HOM International CEO, Patrick Okolie

 

In 2011, he came up with the Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty Pageant inside the prestigious Orchid Hotels, Asaba, Delta State which Ogwashi-Uku-born Miss Chidinma Obiechie won. The event shook the Anioma cultural space with several wonders and it was one of the biggest and richest in the history of the people. The event featured the people of the nine Local Government Areas that make up the Anioma Nation in Delta State including Igbanke in Edo State that also featured in the event. A decade after, he is set to hold another edition of the contest in a grandest style. In this interview, Patrick Okolie, the CEO of HOM International speaks to EMEKA ESOGBUE (PEN MASTER) on the success of the beauty pageant and expectations of the upcoming edition. Excerpts:  

 

Pen Master: (Laughing aloud) Mr. Patrick Okolie, it feels good to meet you, many years after the days we spent together putting together, the Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty pageant.  

 

Okolie: (Laughing with both hands raised) Well, Pen master, it’s been a long journey, more than 8 years now and counting but in all, the Almighty God has been too faithful in the journey and I thank him a special way.

 

Pen Master: …and we are here together again for the same Anioma project, ten years after. How sweet!

 

Okolie: (cuts in with a broad smile) Pen Master, God is always faithful

 

Pen Master: At this stage, our readers will like to meet the man behind the Nwada Anioma scene.

 

Okolie: My name is Patrick Okolie, I am from Ogboli Quarters in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. I was raised by both parents. I consider myself hardworking and disciplined and I attribute this to the disciplinary quest of my parents who were themselves school teachers. This accounted for the reason my siblings and I were fondly called “Umu Onye Ndinkuzi”. I graduated from the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Edo state and I majored in Education. I have also acquired some certifications in the United States of America in Computer Technology. By the grace of God, I have been the organizer of Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty Pageant and also the Chief Executive Officer of HOM International. This is the company behind the Nwada Anioma project that our Anioma people and beyond look forward to. I like to spend my quiet time, listening to gospel music and also I love to travel to see exciting some things. I try new cuisines/delicacies.

 

Pen Master: This brings us to your project, the Nwada Anioma pageant. In 2011, I hope I am right, you hit the Anioma cultural space with your Nwada Anioma show and it was one of the best the people ever experienced. Mr. Okolie, several people followed this project but certainly, not all of these people can tell how it started for you.

 

Okolie: Yeah! Let me start by thanking those that made the last edition a huge success, and indeed, our entire Anioma people that supported me. I say a big thank you to all of you. ‘Daalu nu’, as our people would say. Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty project became a reality in 2010/2011 after I co-organized “Sisi Oge of Lagos” with Edris and Mariam Okoya. I was also at the time, the Nigerian franchise owner of Miss Cultural Heritage World. This was at this time, a pet project on girl child abuse in Nigeria and it made a lot of success both within and outside the country. I recall that before then, I had in 2009, featured and prepared the Miss Leboku in Cross River State to represent Nigeria in South Africa for the Miss Cultural Heritage World event. Having accomplished all these and a lot more, I thought of how I could promote the rich cultural heritage of my Anioma people back home. My wish was that the breeze of modernity and transformation should also reach our area. Besides charity beginning from home, my feeling was that our people deserved better than what the rest of the world could get. This sent me researching on Nwada traditions of people and how we could build on it to tell a beautiful story using pageantry. The idea, concept and result of the research carried out by me eventually gave birth to Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty Pageant as we have it today.

 

Pen Master: Now, I see the length you reached to bear this Nwada Anioma. Now, anyone may want to ask to know your particular interest in the Ada concept of the Anioma people and of the Igbo nation generally.

 

Okolie: It would seem that every Anioma family places esteem on Ada position or let us say, Umuada traditional position. At this point, I could say that growing up as a teenager, I remember that whenever there was an occasion, the role of Umuada were never neglected and happily, I watched this awesome and cherished tradition of our wonderful people blossom to optimally. Also, the Omu Institution is another Anioma heritage that is revered and celebrated, especially the organizational skills of the office in handling women’s affairs either in the market place or at home.

 

Pen Master: …Alright! But now, this very edition must be virtual. Perhaps, this is again, the very first of its kind in the history of this contest in Aniomaland, why are you opting for this method?

 

Okolie: First, we want to keep our people safe and make sure we observe the government COVID-19 protocol. The second reason is to get more Anioma people involved in the event both home and abroad. This year’s event will remind us of the significance of the contributions of Umuada to the societal growth of Anioma at the family and community level at large. We will transmit to the world how Anioma culture celebrates our Umuada with their sociocultural and economic relevance. We also want to our people that the Umuada system remains relevant to us. It’s going to be mind-blowing.

 

Pen Master: You are touched by the recent domineering ‘Ikei’ affair and gradual relegation of ‘Ikpoho’ to the background by the same society that both folks find themselves?

 

Okolie: Yes! Pen Master, you see most people do not fully understand the concept of Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty Pageant. We want to use this opportunity to encourage our young women, Royal Fathers, philanthropist, political office holders and all Anioma sons and daughter home and abroad to support this unique Anioma project. To tell you the truth, women in our society deserves better recognition. Things are fast changing in today’s world and our Anioma must meet the changing goal for the good of our society. Women are standing up, bearing the burden, raising the family, and also contributing to the making of societies in greater ways than we have previously seen in our world. The means to set our Umuada on this path suitably, is to groom them. When we do this, they will become relevant to the world at large.

 

Pen Master: …But some organizers have often come out to tell the world that there no economic gains in pageantry. Are you favoured economically?

 

Okolie: Am not doing this for any economic gain. It is rather my little way of giving back to my Anioma community that I love so much. My happiness is to see these young women fulfill their dreams in life and also achieve their purpose. Pen Master, you can tell that some of the contestants from the previous edition are doing very well now.

 

Pen Master: But now, you are based in the United States of America. Tell us the difference, living in Nigeria and the United States of America.

 

Patrick Okolie: (Smiling) Even though going abroad gives one a lot of greater opportunities, I still think that living back home is still the best. In the USA, you will miss the lifestyle you are used to, families and friends, local homemade dishes and others to mention but a few. We will continue to give our people the best from any part of the world since the world is now a small village.

 

Pen Master: Let me ask you my usual question: Have you been getting any support from your Ibusa people?

 

Okolie: We are expecting the support of all Anioma people. Some have pledged their support, some Anioma groups and organizations in the USA have also done so. We appeal to everyone to please support this great Anioma project. Some of the ways to support this project are in educational scholarships for the winners, cash prizes and partnerships with us to hold the event. Support us in any way you can. Please, we need your support.

 

Pen Master: From my personal experience, there are usually complaints from contestants and their sponsors after pageants. Did you happen to receive complaints of any kind from the Girls after the last edition?

 

Okolie: (surprised) No complaint at all. We did a credible event.

 

Pen Master: We should say they found enjoyment in some of your lined-up activities…?

 

Okolie: During our first edition, we made some cutesy calls to receive royal blessings. We were also on sight-seeing visits. First, was the visit to the Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Prof Chike Edozien but it was unfortunate that we met his absence. In any case, were warmly received by the Asagba-in-Council. There were observations of some traditions such as breaking of kola. Drinks were presented to us. Our Anioma ‘odinani’ was performed. Part of the fun for the Girls was a photo session with the Asagba-in-Council. The contestants became enlightened and educated on Asaba cultural affairs. We made a brief stop at some tourist destinations, and the late Ogbeleani of the great Illah Kingdom, his Council with enthusiastic villagers received us. They gave us large tubers of yam, dry fish and drinks. We had the blessings of the late Ogbeleani. There was outpour of so much love from the people of Illah and the memory stuck with us. We also paid a courtesy visit to a former Commissioner of Police at the state command who gave us assurance of safety during the event.

 

Pen Master: So, Mr. Okolie, what are we to expect from this very edition?

 

Okolie: First of all, this edition is going to be an online voting system, with a large online audience. There will be lots of fun and excitement, and we are ready to give the Anioma people the very best form of entertainment. As I just said, we are incorporating an online voting system, with a large online audience. There will be lots of fun and excitement, and we are ready to give Anioma people the very best form of entertainment. There will be school scholarship program for the 1^st and 2nd runners-up and the overall winner. Additionally, the overall winner will be the Global Ambassador of Nwada Anioma Cultural Beauty Pageant International and other consolation prize will also be given out.

 

Pen Master: Mr. Okolie, I must thank you at this point. Thank you, for your time.

 

Okolie: Thank you, Pen Master. Continue to keep our Anioma people informed and on our part, we will not disappoint you. From all of us, in HOM Entertainment, we salute you.