Posted by By Goddy Osuji, Enugu on
Owerri Students Association of the Institute of Management (IMT) Enugu, celebrated its 2006 Cultural Day with pomp. The students used the occasion to showcase the custom and tradition of their people for which they were known.
Owerri Students Association of the Institute of Management (IMT) Enugu, celebrated its 2006 Cultural Day with pomp. The students used the occasion to showcase the custom and tradition of their people for which they were known.
It was also a day the students from the three local government areas that make up the Association- Owerri West, Owerri North and Owerri Municipal performed their traditional dance and prepared their famous ‘ofe Owerri' delicacy with pounded yam. The popular 'ugba" oil bean salad well spiced with stockfish and with palm-wine to wash it down were not missing in the menu.
For effect, the female folk were dressed in the traditional Igbo attire, while the male folk tied their george wrapper with flowing long-sleeve shirts to give it the traditional touch for which Owerri people are known.
The chairman of the occasion Mr. Goddy Osuji commended the efforts of the students to set aside a day in their busy academic calendar to remember and celebrate the culture of their people for which they are distinguished .
While urging them to be good ambassadors of the people, Osuji advised them not to be involved in such vices that could portray them in bad light. Even as he advised that they should endeavor not to forget one another but to have the spirit of 'Onye aghala Nwanneya" in all they do.
He also enjoined them to exhibit such characters that would convince people that they are truly the children of their parents coming from a people that value good behavior just as he admonished them not to engage in cultism and such other condemnable social behaviors.
The president of the association Paul Opara in his address noted that it was because of the peoples posture towards strangers and their understanding of other cultures, respect for elders and above all, Owerri man is contended that love, peace, unity, care for one another and understanding is flourishing in Owerri land. He explained that their coming together has given them the opportunity to help themselves in such areas as academics, accommodation, finance and teaching of Owerri dialect to those who are outside the area to unable to speak the dialect.
Opara said :'We the Owerri students association have risen to organize ourselves not only to uplift our academic careers and membership but to indulge in this land-mark project building the ‘Obi Owerri' in IMT Enugu.
In his address, Moses Ogbuefi remarked that the association offers empowerment, protection from vices like exuberance, cult activities and influence members in the institution to pave way for the social and political future.
Adding that one's belief, as a Christian would not stop him/ her from being a member of an association which principal objective is to foster unity, progress and economic growth and development.
'Owerri is great and the people or the inhabitants are an embodiment of the greatness of that name".
The occasion also witnessed the installation of Eze Owerri and the traditional prime minister of I M T Enugu chapter.