• Igwe, president, Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan, unveils agenda
By Cosmas Omegoh
Ndigbo in the Province of Saskatchewan, Canada, are set to celebrate Igbo festival of arts and culture on August 5, 2023.
The orgnaisers said that the theme of the event is “Oganihu Asusu na Omenala Igbo (Preservation of the Igbo Language and Culture).”
President of the Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan, Dr Chidi Igwe, disclosed that the festival would feature “traditional breaking of kolanut and New Yam festival.
“There will be Igbo masquerade dance, Abigbo dance, Ogene dance, Egwu Umuada, and Egwu onwa by the children.
“The event is going to hold at Regina Performing Arts Centre, 1077 Angus Street, Regina.
“The Igbo Day 2023 is being sponsored (partly) by the Multicultural Council of Saskatchewan (MCoS).”
He told our correspondent that during the occasion, titles would be conferred on friends of Ndigbo in Saskatchewan, recalling that “in 2019, we conferred the Enyi Ndigbo (Friend of the Igbo) recognition on some people. This year, we are expecting to make more Enyi Ndigbo in Saskatchewan.”
According to Dr Igwe, the chain of events is sequel to the official proclamation recognising August 5 as Igbo Day in Saskatchewan issued by the Saskatchewan Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport, who noted in a Certificate of Recognition: “I, Laura Ross, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport in the Province of
Saskatchewan in exercise of the powers conferred upon me, do hereby designate the day of August 5, 2023 to be ‘lgbo Day of Arts and Culture’ in Saskatchewan.”
Igwe noted that “in issuing the proclamation, Minister Ross also enjoined the citizens of the Province of Saskatchewan to recognise Igbo Day as proclaimed by their government.”
He also informed that in the same manner, the Mayor of the City of Regina, Sandra Masters also designated on behalf of the municipal government of Regina, the capital of Saskatchewan, August 5, 2023 as Igbo Day of Arts and Culture.
According to him, both government officials also encouraged the residents of the Queen City (as Regina is known locally) to dedicate the day for the celebration of culture with the Igbo community of Saskatchewan.
Igwe said: “In a goodwill message addressed to all Igbo people in Regina, Mayor Masters remarked that ‘the diversity of our community is something that Regina takes great pride in. We believe that this blend of different cultures is what makes not only our city, but our country unique on the world stage.’”
He added that Mayor Masters encouraged the residents of Regina “to recognise August 5, 2023, as Igbo Day of Arts and Culture here in Regina.
“Masters highlighted that ‘this year’s theme of the celebration Oganihu Asusu na Omenala Igbo (Preservation of the Igbo Language and Culture) is a universal concept that numerous cultures can relate to.
“Language preservation is imperative for many of those that call Regina home, and we commend the work that Nigerian-Canadian people of Igbo descent are engaging in to bring awareness to their language and culture.’”
Igwe was delighted that Igbo Cultural Association of Saskatchewan (ICAS) Inc. could receive such official recognition from the two levels of governments in Canada.
He recalled that what became the first official designation of Igbo Day of Arts and Culture by a provincial and a municipal government in the whole of Canada, began in 2019.
He expressed gladness that the date had been inked into the calendar of both governments.
“Igbo people in Saskatchewan are delighted to receive this level of support from the Government of Saskatchewan and the City of Regina. By recognising Igbo Day, the two levels of government are encouraging our people to practise our language and culture in our new country,” He said.
“We are looking forward to that date with eagerness.
“We invite all our people, our friends and well-wishers, to join us as we celebrate our cultural heritage in Canada.
“We invite everyone to join us for a celebration of culture, a taste of Igbo cuisine, artistic displays, dance and performances, as Igbo people in Canada.
“We expect a large crowd of Igbo people, their friends and well-wishers from Regina, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Moose Jaw.
“We have given invitation to other Nigerians and other nationalities: The Nigerian-Canadian Association of Regina, the Yoruba Community Association of Regina, and the Ghanaian-Canadian Association of Saskatchewan, among others.
“The Igbo community in Saskatchewan is excited about Igbo Day, especially with the level of support from both levels of government, which have issued public proclamations designating August 5 as Igbo Day.
“It is a great honour to our community here in Saskatchewan, as well as a big recognition to our Igbo identify everywhere.
“We are expecting our sister organisations to join us. These include the Saskatoon Igbo Cultural Association, and the Umunna Igbo Manitoba Cultural Association. They have always joined us for Igbo Day,” he told Sunday Sun.
Dr Igwe recalled that “ICAS was founded in 2002 to preserve the Igbo-Canadian heritage through events, workshops, language and culture education.
“Every two years, we celebrate Igbo Day, dedicating the day to promoting awareness and use of the Igbo Language, art, as well as the Igbo Nigerian-Canadian cultural heritage in Saskatchewan.
“The 2021 edition of Igbo Day was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
He Also said that “the theme of the 2023 Igbo Day, “Oganihu Asusu na Omenala Igbo (Preservation of the Igbo Language and Culture),” was selected to increase the awareness and use of the Igbo Language, art and culture in Saskatchewan, as well as to honour the contributions of the Nigerian-Canadian people of Igbo descent to the cultural, professional and economic development of Saskatchewan in particular and Canada as a whole.