By Nnabugwu Chizoba
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| ANAN President, Chief Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom |
Owerri, the Eastern Hartland, better
known, as OBODO NGWORI, that is, the land of hospitality, relaxation and
enjoyment; a name given to the city because of the serenity, security, and convenience
with which people of different ages, diverse backgrounds, standard and categories,
access and explore the enormous opportunities available in the city to address
their craving for pleasure, fun, and entertainment.
In a recent event, the City, as
always rekindled the longing, desire and interest of many people, when it created
and expanded the peoples’ feeling, appetite and love, for culture and tourism; as
some of the participants of the event expressed.
The above was achieved, through a combination
of scintillating cultural performances, highly coordinated dance steps and body
movements, responding to the musical rhythms by the beautiful maidens,
carefully selected to demonstrate the immense cultural heritage and obviously
untapped potential, waiting to be developed. This was in addition to a very
wonderful rendition of local songs and displays, all put together for those that
attended the Gala Night organized by the Imo State Branch of the Association of
National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), for the pleasure, comfort and
relaxation of Accounting Professionals from different States in Nigeria, who gathered
in Owerri, the Imo State Capital, to attend the 4th Session, 2016 Mandatory
Continuing Professional Development (MCPD), progamme of ANAN.
In attendance at the event, was
the President/Chairman of Council of ANAN, Chief Anthony Chukwuemeka Nzom, himself
a lover of culture, an active promoter of values, and a respected voice and
preacher, of the protection, preservation and respect for peoples’ culture,
values and heritage. Speaking at the event, Chief Nzom thanked the organisers
of the event (Gala Night), and also encouraged everybody present at the
occasion to embrace and respect other peoples’ culture at all-times, while
urging them to utilize every opportunity, including culture and tourism to
deepen the development of the country”.
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| Chief Sir Fabian Uwaforo Okochi, Standing |
The Chairman, Imo state Branch of
ANAN, Chief Sir Fabian Uwaforo Okochi, in his welcome speech at the Gala Night,
told the gathering, that the State is happy with their visit, adding that the event
was put together to help the visitors relax a little after their journey and
very hectic activities, arising from the MCPD programme. He said “Considering the
position of ANAN to MCPD programmes, especially her unwavering disposition, to
matters of training and updating of members knowledge annually, it becomes indeed
very necessary that something of this nature is put together not only for your
relaxation but also to showcase the beautiful culture of Imo people and their
delicacies”. He noted also that Owerri, the Imo State Capital, has a fair share
of relaxation centers, citing Ibari-ogwa and manure as examples.
Before ending his speech, Chief
Sir Fabian Uwaforo Okochi, thanked the Imo State Government, led by Owelle
Rochas Anayo Okorocha for his support to the Owerri Branch of ANAN, towards the
hosting of the 4th session of MCPD programme for 2016. He also thanked
immensely, the President/Chairman of Council of ANAN, Chief Anthony Chukwuemeka
Nzom, and the entire members of the Council of ANAN, for the opportunity
granted the Imo State Branch to host the event.
In the same vein he appreciated
the Executive and whole members of the Imo State Branch of ANAN, in particular,
the Planning Committee, headed by Sir Dom. E. Edomobi, Mr. Anumaka Charles (Secretary),
Mrs. Okpara M.C (JP), Mr. F.C. Uchendu, Mr. Oparaugo Stephen (all members of
the committee) and Mr. Remigius Ohalete (Chairman Emeritus, committee member). He
equally, appreciated all ANAN members, who came en-mass to take part in the
Gala Night.
In a related development, Mr.
Oparaugo Stephen, a member of the organizing Committee, who spoke to our Correspondent
at the event, said “There is overwhelming evidence of the need for Nigeria, to
attach importance to Culture and Tourism Development. It is a huge resource for
economic diversification and job creation. In this regard, he said “This Gala
Night, presents a glaring opportunity, for everybody present at this occasion to
have a reflexive thought about the Nigeria system and environment, as well as
affords all the participants, the opportunity to have a quick look at the rich endowment
and untapped wealth, unconsciously covered and indeed hidden in the different
cultures, of the country”. Concluding, he added “What you are witnessing will
heighten your desire, sharpen your interest and increase your love for culture,
and in so doing raise the awareness of many people to the effect that without
Oil, Nigeria’s survival is as sure as anything anybody can imagine, provided
there is the will to diversify the economy”.
When interviewed by our Correspondent
at the event, the Chairman of Owerri Branch of ANAN, Chief Sir Fabian Uwaforo
Okochi said “it is only appropriate that we take time out to appreciate the
people and to equally showcase what we have in terms of culture and delicacies.
We do this aware that some of the people participating in this MCPD, covered
very long distance to be here. Apart from that, the participants of the
programme, I mean the MCPD programme, are very busy Professionals who obviously
need to be treated with the wonderfully rich Imo Culture and delicacies. And
the only option available, in OBODO NGWORI, is to give them the best. And that
is what we are doing”.
In a similar development, Mr.
Musa Ibrahim, a participant of the MCPD, also spoke with our Correspondent saying
“We’ve been engaged in very tasking sessions of intellectual work, since the
programme began officially on Tuesday. ANAN as you may know, is always on top
of her games, always maintaining her position of giving out the best and
equally demanding that the membership do same as well. That we have been very
busy, is indeed, an understatement. Therefore, I quite appreciate the efforts
of Owerri Branch to give us, this kind of treat. Nigeria is indeed rich and
well-endowed. I look forward to coming back here very soon”.
Mr. Danlami Abubakar, a participant,
also spoke to our correspondent. He said “Frankly speaking, Nigeria is blessed,
in tourism and culture. I am moved particularly by the Proverbs and the various
delicacies and the manner of presentations. To be candid, my impression about
the whole thing happening here is captured in very simple words; our leaders have
not approached the economic development efforts of the Country, from all fronts.
Even if we start today as a nation to tap what we have, I mean our deposits, I
can assure you, and anybody that wishes to hear, that massive development of human
capital and infrastructure, necessary to create jobs, engage the youths, generate
wealth and drastically reduce unemployment and poverty, presently facing the
nation is a doable project”.
Mr. Ibebuogu C.C. a lecturer with
the Imo State University, Owerri, while speaking to our Correspondent, said “Considering
the various tribes with different cultures and over 250 languages spoken among
the different ethnic groups in Nigeria, and thinking of the Arts, the rich
culture of the people, which comprises various cultural entertainment dance
groups, the native hunters, the native food, their preparations, traditional
wrestling bouts, the traditional marriage ceremonies, the typical family
system, the hair style of natives, especially women, you will understand how
richly blessed the Nigerian, Nation is”.
Mrs. Gold Ngozi Ukazu, while
answering to a question posed to her by our Correspondent, on the reason for
the rising spate of unemployment and poverty in the country said “It is the
handiwork of a mono economy, arising from over dependence on Oil, as Revenue
earner for Nigeria. With a shift in emphasis, to accommodate other avenues of socio-economic
activities, the country will witness unprecedented level of job creation opportunities
and wealth generation activities”.
The above submissions, when
considered side-by-side, with the views of other public commentators and analysts,
who have not only revealed but also stressed that global tourists arrivals, put
at almost one billion annually, with projection of continuous increase, the
question of what and how Nigeria will benefit substantially from the tourism
market, should agitate the minds of stakeholders of the Nigeria project, especially
when it is considered that there is overwhelming evidence, of high unemployment
and poverty rate in the country.
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