By Ikechukwu Ezema
The Chairman of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area in Enugu state, UgoFerdinand Ukwueze has promised to encourage programmes that aims at promoting Nsukka zone’s cultural heritage and exportation to the outside world.
Ukwueze made the pledge when he played host to the organizers of the 2024 Festival of palm wine (Nkwuocha) and Okpa local delicacy ‘Season Three’ slated for November 30, 2024.
The Chairman who is also the Vice Chairman of ALGON Enugu State, listed Nsukka rich cultural heritage in the area of foods to include Achicha, Otipiri, Igba-ngu oka, Okpa, Ose Nsukka, Nsukka palm wine among others.
He said that Nsukka Palm Wine and Okpa which is what the festival is celebrating were a rich heritage of the people of Nsukka cultural zone.
He maintained that promoting programmes that showcases Igbo Nsukka rich food heritage to the outside world was a way of further marketing it for increased consumption adding, “it is in line with Tomorrow is Here mantra of our dear Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr. Peter Mbah,”.
According to him, Okpa’, “is a local delicacy prepared from a specie of beans called bambara-nut which is rich in protein to the body. Palm wine is also rich in yeast which is good for the eyes and Nsukka palm is the best due to the way produce our own.
If we develop a better way of preserving Nsukka Palm wine, it is the best for consumption than all those so called English wine that comes with much risk to the liver,”.
He thanked the organizers of the Festival of palm wine (Nkwuocha) and Okpa local delicacy adding that they should also do well to promote other Nsukka foods like Achicha, Otipiri, Igba-ngu, Ose Nsukka among others.
He promised to identify with his people in the activities to mark the drinking of local palm wine alongside with eating of ‘Okpa’, which is celebrated annually among their people.
Ukwueze thanked them for their special visit and assured them of his full support for the festival.
“I thank you for creatively initiating a yearly programme that invokes our originality and cultural heritage, which has gained global recognition. I am fully committed to this year’s festival and will play my part in making it successful.
“I will support this initiative in every way possible and encourage other local government chairmen within the Nsukka Senatorial zone, as well as influential members of our society, to do the same,” he stated.
He described the event as a cultural heritage and commended the committee for sustaining the tradition.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the festival committee, Amb. Ikenna Ugwuanyi, congratulated Ukwueze on his emergence as the Executive Chairman of Igbo Eze South Local Government Area.
Ugwuanyi who prayed that his administration would bring development to the local communities in the council area, said that he trusts that the Chairman will perform creditably on his mandate.
His words, “I have known you for years, and I know your leadership will bring good development, We are not here just to exchange pleasantries but to discuss a pressing issue. The Okpa and Nkwuocha Festival Season Three is slated for November 30, 2024 and we are here to officially invite you and the good people of Igbo-Eze South.
“This festival aims to promote our cultural heritage and unity in the Nsukka Senatorial zone. We seek not only to inform you about the festival but also to request your endorsement and support for its success.”
Amb. Ugwuanyi said that the programme helps in bonding Nsukka people as one and same people with common cultural affinity and heritage.
