OFAAC Unveils Anioma Culture and Heritage Project

 OFAAC Unveils Anioma Culture and Heritage Project

By Patrick Ochei

The Organization for the Advancement of Anioma Culture (OFAAC) has officially unveiled the Anioma Culture and Heritage Project, a landmark initiative aimed at preserving, documenting, and projecting the rich cultural heritage of the Anioma people.

The unveiling, which took place on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at the Orchid Hotel, Asaba, Delta State, was conducted by OFAAC in partnership with Anioma traditional rulers, underscoring the collective commitment of Anioma leadership to safeguarding their history and identity.

Speaking at the event, the President of OFAAC, Kester Ifeadi, announced the inauguration of a high-powered eight -member Steering Committee, alongside thirty (30) zonal sub-committees, to drive the successful implementation of the project across Anioma Nation.

Steering Committee Members

The Steering Committee is chaired by Prof. (Chief) Mrs. Josephine Mokwunyei, with Dr. Emeka Esogbue serving as General Secretary. Other members include:

• Prof. Eric Eboh

• Prof. Uche Oboko

• Chief Ndili

• Chief Alfred Onyenweosa

• Prince Walter Eziashi

• Mr. Emmanuel Ogwu

Addressing stakeholders at the inauguration, Arc. Ifeadi explained that the Anioma Culture and Heritage Project was conceptualized by OFAAC in collaboration with Anioma traditional rulers to produce a thorough, authentic, and palace-driven documentation of Anioma culture and history.

While acknowledging the contributions of scholars and authors who have written on Anioma history over the years, he emphasized that the current initiative is broader in scope and depth, as it draws directly from the palaces and other custodians of Anioma cultural heritage.

“Our goal is that, at the end of this exercise, a formidable document of international standard will emerge—one that will serve as a catalyst for an encyclopedia that truthfully and comprehensively tells the Anioma story to the rest of the world,” he said.

According to the framework adopted by the Steering Committee, the project will focus on five thematic areas, namely:

1. Community History

2. Community Administration

3. Community Economy

4. Community Social Life

5. Community Religion

These themes collectively capture the cultural, traditional, political, and economic dynamics of Anioma communities and will guide research activities across the various zones of Anioma Nation.

In her response, the Chairman of the Steering Committee, Prof. (Chief) Mrs. Josephine Mokwunyei, expressed gratitude to OFAAC for initiating what she described as a visionary and path-finding project.

She noted that the Anioma Culture and Heritage Project would not only preserve the identity of the Anioma people for future generations but would also stand as a global reference point in cultural and historical documentation.