By Micheal Nnebife and Deborah Chinyelum
It was a moment of celebration on Saturday August 16, at Amikwo, Awka, Anambra State, as the indigenous members of the Catholic Women’s Organization, CWO, St Francis of Assisi Parish, Amikwo, debuted the popular Igbo traditional music, songs and praises, ”Nkwa Group Dance”.
The event which took place at the premises of the parish, attracted the the Chaplain, CWO, Awka Diocese, Rev Fr Jonas Unegbu; the Sister Adviser, Rev Sr Obichukwu Anara; the Director, Lady Sabina Ndigwe; numerous priests; creme de la creme of the parish; politicians, who included a former member that represented Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Dozie Nwankwo, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Martin Dike; among others.
According to the Chairperson of the event’s Planning Committee, Mrs Adaobi Chinweze, the essence of the music, in which Hon Ikechukwu Chinweze and Mrs Chizoba Idiemeruo led as Nna Egwu, patron; and Nne Egwu, patroness; respectively, was to glorify God through Igbo music and dance in the area.
While presenting an address of welcome, the Chairperson gave a deeper insight about the music.
‘Nkwa Dance is a part of the broader landscape of Igbo Music which is known for its lively and spontaneous nature, incorporating various percussion instruments like drums and gongs, such as bongo, ekwe, ichaka, igede, alo, among others,’ she said.
‘As women of faith, we aim at enhancing the spiritual and physical livelihood of our members, while contributing to the growth and development of the Church and our community through our melodious songs and vibrant dances, inspiring devotion, unity and charity,’ she said.
‘We so much appreciate our sponsors, who have donated cash and some musical instruments; and our Nna Egwu, Hon Ikechukwu Chinweze, who sponsored our uniforms and the megaphone,’ the Chairperson said, while appealing to public spirited individuals for more support to enable the group to procure a Toyota Hiace bus and musical instruments such as speakers, amplifiers, microphones, among others.
Speaking with Fides, the Acting Parish Priest, Rev Fr Anthony Igboamalu, described the Nkwa Group Dance as a binding force that helped in propagating the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Christian faith in the Amikwo Awka Community.
The Parish Priest commended the common quality he described as the spirit of love and unity existing among the St Francis Parish’s women, and prayed God to sustain it for the glory of His name.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon Engr Obiora Okafor, who described the event as a thing of joy, said that Nkwa Group Dance was a unique music that exalted the name of God.
While speaking with Fides, the Nna Egwu and the Nne Egwu expressed joy that despite all odds, the initiative for the music had become a reality.
They expressed optimism that the music would go places, and pledged to uphold their support to the group.
In a vote of thanks, the President, CWO, Awka Indigenes, Mrs Edith Nnonyelu, noted that the Nkwa Group Dance went beyond the worship of God within a religious circle, appealing to the general public to patronize the group for social events such as a house openings, naming ceremonies, among others, for the praise of God.
She appreciated the guests for coming to rejoice with the group and prayed God to reward, as well as grant them journey mercies while going back to their various homes.
Presentation of a Community Service Award to the National President, Awka Ambassadors Club of Nigeria, Amb. Anthony Okafor, represented by Mr Nwekweghi Chukwunonso, for his distinguished contribution to human capital development in the area, was among the highlights of the event, whose second dance performance was dedicated to the immediate former Parish Priest of the Parish, the late Rev Fr Anthony Udogu.