Residents, indigenes, friends and neighbours of Ifite Ogbeadiji Ebenesi community in Nnobi, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have given up a thunderous ovation to one of their son, Celebrity High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu, for single handedly sponsoring the celebration of culture and heritage carnival in the community.
The event, which showcased the rich socio-cultural existence of Ndi Nnobi, also drew people from neighbouring towns and the Diaspora to the St Theresa’s field, Nnobi, venue of the showpiece.
Our Correspondent gathered that the carnival bring sponsored by High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu who is also the Ikemba Nnobi was said to be the first time such a large celebration was being held in the community.
Speaking at the event, Ezeonu, said the carnival was targeted at showcasing the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Ndi Nnobi, talent exhibition, and harnessing potential among the community members.
Ezeonu added that he single-handedly sponsored the maiden carnival to strengthen love and peaceful co-existence among the people with a view to showcasing Nnobi as a prominent community.
Currently, he is the CEO of Hamthel Holding and HEX Consulting LLC, USA, and serves as the Director of Zybs Medical Group USA, Ezeonu’s exceptional contributions have earned him numerous awards from Tesla and Cablevision.
His successful single-handedly hosting of the biggest carnival is a testament to his commitment to community service which he said is unparalleled.
Besides the carnival, he has empowered over 50 women in Nnobi to start their own businesses, roofed the Ifite Nnobi Town Hall, assisted Okada riders with safety helmets and reflective jackets, renovated the Nnobi General Hospital, provided community security vehicles, and installed over 200 solar street lights in Nnobi.
Before the carnival, he has installed solar power in the Nnobi General Hospital and Ifite Nnobi Town Hall, built and commissioned the first police tower in Nnobi, and completed three boreholes and a one-kilometer road in the community.
In his remarks during the carnival, the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Ernest Ezeajughi, commended Ezeonu’s commitment towards human and community development.
The Governor noted that the event has added huge value to the administration’s vision of making Anambra a tourist and cultural destination in Africa.
He said, “Making Anambra a cultural and tourism capital is core to our administration’s policy thrust which is why the state government has invested heavily in the construction of the Solution Fun City, Agulu Lake Resort, remodeling of Ogbunike Cave, among others.”
The traditional ruler of Nnobi, Igwe Nick Obi, said the cultural carnival was necessitated by the need to foster unity and love among community members, encouraging other villages and quarters to key into such initiative as a measure to sustain Igbo rich cultural heritage.
The event was attended by the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Hon Don Onyenji; Chairman of Idemili South Council Area, Hon. Amaka Obi, the Chairman of Ifiteogbeadiji Nnobi, Comrade Stanley Izuegbunem, Co-Chairman of the event, Chief Tochukwu Okafor among other high profile dignitaries.
Some indegenes of the community who simply identified their names as Amaka Okafor, Chinwe Okeke and Chukwunonso Obi expressed happiness that Chief Ezeonu has brought peace, unity and smiles to the community as the carnival showed cased their rich foods, dance, identities as well as norms.
Meanwhile, the carnival featured different dances, masquerades performances, presentation of laptops, cheques, and empowerment to deserving members of the community.
