Culture
Okey-dede emerges Eze Ndigbo in Mpape

The Igbo community in Abuja has crowned Chief Amb. Engr. Kingston Okey-dede, as the Igwe Obata-Obie, the Ochigbo II in Mpape, Bwari Area Council of the FCT.A statement by the Media Consultant to the Igwe Obata-Obie, the Ochigbo II of Mpape, Precious Chukwudi indicated that the event, which took place at the Aco Estate, Life camp, home of HRM Eze Dr. Ibe Nwosu, the Eze Igbo 1 of Abuja, saw the making of an Igbo King in it’s finest tradition as the entire ICA FCT and other stakeholders, led by Eze Dr. Ibe Nwosu, performed the coronation rituals amid soul-lifting Christian songs, to the consternation of all.He quoted Okey-dede to have indicated that his decision to take the title was to fulfill several prophesies in the past about him that there was a crown on his head.
“So, when the Mpape unit of the Igbo Community in Abuja approached me to be the Eze Ndigbo in Mpape, I couldn’t turn it down because I saw it as a fulfilment of those prophesies,” he said.
According to the statement the new king is expected to make peace whenever there is a dispute between the Igbo and any other ethnic group in Mpape.
He promised to use his influence and resources to ensure peace and wellbeing of the Igbo in Mpape, even as he charged them to cooperate and be loyal to him for that to happen.
President-general of the Igbo Community in Abuja, Hon. Leonard Eboh, said the significance of the event was the replication of tradition and culture in the FCT.
“Today, we crown him the Ochigbo II of Mpape, six years after the demise of the late kin John Ossai, Ochigbo I who has joined his ancestors.
“We do that to bring about peace during crisis between the Igbo in Mpape and any other ethnic group, the Sarkin Mpape will send for him and the problem will be resolved amicably.”
Accordjng to him, since they started having an Eze in Abuja, there have been no ethnic crisis involving the Igbos,” he said.
Eboh stressed that the title of Eze was only conferred on those with good track records of service to humanity, saying that Okey-dede was picked for the honour because of his generosity and humanitarian service especially to Igbos in Mpape.
Okey-dede’s wife was equally crowned the Ugo Eze 1 of Mpape during the event in the presence of his Chief of Staff, Eze Dr. Charles Olisekwe, Eze Ndigbo in Garki, and the palace secretary of Eze Igbo 1, Eze Amb. D. Anyagala (Ochiliozwor) who is also the Eze Igbo Gawagwa.
Among those who spoke at the event include Chief David Olumba (Eze-Udo), a cabinet member to late Ochigbo I of Mpape, the chairman of ICA Mpape unit, Mr. Emmanuel Awa, the immediate past chairman of ICA Mpape unit, Prince Ikenna Motuanya aka presido.
Chief David Olumba who is a cabinet chief of the late Ochigbo I of Mpape, likened the Igbo to the Israelites of the Bible days. He said, in those days, the Israelites were the only people that had the right to crown their kings outside their homeland. “The Igbos are part and parcel of Abraham and wherever they go they must have a leader who can stand on behalf of other Igbo. In the city of Abuja, many Igbo don’t understand Hausa or any other native language spoken there, so if there is any problem, the Igbo King will meet the Sarkin Mpape and find a solution to such problems,” he said.
He therefore enjoined the Igbo community in Mpape to submit to the leadership of Eze Kingston Okey-dede as the recognized Ochigbo II and work together to guarantee peace and unity of Ndigbo in Mpape.
Highpoint of the occasion was libation by the Eze Igbo 1 of Abuja and blessing of the newly crowned Eze Igbo Mpape while emphasizing that Mr. Fabian Ike was never been crowned Ochigbo Mpape as he couldn’t fulfill the requirements for his coronation despite four years of waiting as against six months required traditionally.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include Mr. Celestine Ochiagha, Mr. Vincent Ezekwem, Sir Tony Chibueze, Ichie Nze Ernest Nwaiwu, Mr. Fidelis Obri, Chief Peter Umezuruike, Mrs. Ijeoma Richard, Mr. Princewill Odoegbeluem, Engr. Daniel Okoro, among others.
Culture
Lamido Sanusi restored officially as Kano emir

Barely four years after he was deposed by the immediate past Governor of Kano state,Abdullahi Ganduje, Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House in Kano on Friday issued the letter of appointment to Sanusi Lamido which restored him as Kano Emir.
Governor Yusuf said,
“By the powers conferred on me by the Kano Emirate Council Law of 1984 and 2024, and supported by the recommendation of the kingmakers, I have the singular pleasure to confirm the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano and the head of the Kano Emirate Council,” the governor said.
The governor urged the emir to lead according to Islamic tenets, as he read out his role.
“As the Emir is being appointed for the second time, it is based on his competence, credibility, and popularity,” he said.
“I urge him to be guided by the principles of Islamic teachings and to use his position to unite the emirate, fostering harmony among the Islamic sects in the state.”
Traditional rulers, kingmakers, and other top dignitaries were in attendance at the event which came barely one day after Governor Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.
The Emir is expected to lead the Juma’at prayer at the Government House.
The new law replaces the Kano State Emirates Council Law, 2019, and dissolves the emirate councils created by Ganduje.
Ganduje had splited⁵ the Kano Emirate into five in December 2019 and deposed Sanusi II, on March 9, 2020. The emirates created by the Ganduje administration were Karaye, Bichi, Rano, and Gaya, in addition to Kano.
Governor Yusuf at the reinstatement event clarified that the 2019 move was a case of victimisation and narrated events leading to his return as emir
“We had a series of meetings with the Kingmakers yesterday, extensive discussions with the Speaker, and we also sat with all the heads of security. At the end of the day, we all gathered in the chamber where I received the bill that repealed the former law,” the governor said.
He continued, “We did that out of our convictions and belief that this gentleman was victimized in 2019. We all feel that we must restore what is due to the good people of the state.”
Governor Yusuf also thanked the legislative body for the accelerated passage of the bill
“Let me use this opportunity to humbly thank the Speaker and all members of the House for your determination and respect for the rule of law. It shows your interest in the welfare of the people of the state,” he said.
Emir Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was known as Lamido Sanusi before becoming king.
His deposition generated controversy in the state and beyond. But in reversing it, Governor Yusuf said it was the repeal of the old law that “balkanised the over 1,000-year- Kano Emirate.”
“From the very moment I signed the bill into law, it means that all appointments made in accordance with that 2019 law are voided, and the balkanised Kano Emirate has been restored to its original pre-2019 status,” the governor said.
“The repeal of the 2019 law means that there is no emir in Kano as of now except the reinstated emir.”
Following the new law, he gave the emirs who were in charge of the dissolved emirates 48 hours to leave their palaces.
Before signing the bill, Governor Yusuf and the speaker of the Kano State Assembly Aminu Abdussalam had met with traditional rulers and kingmakers behind closed doors.
Sanusi II started his reign on June 8, 2014, when Rabiu Kwankwaso was the governor of Kano State. His appointment came about four months after Goodluck Jonathan – the then-president – removed him as the governor of the CBN.
Culture
Minister Musawa commemorates World Culture Day, says, ‘our strength is in our diversity’

Nigerians should celebrate the country’s cultural diversity, because it the nation’s source of strength and unity, the Minister of Arts and Culture , Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has advocated
In her address to commemorate the 2024 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (World Culture Day), M
Musawa emphasized the need to appreciate and promote Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.
A statement by her special adviser on media and publicity, Nneka Ikem Anibeze, she urged Nigerians to take pride in their culture and recognize its potential to drive economic development, social and mental wellbeing, and national unity.
The Minister noted that the country’s plurality of culture and ethnicity should be leveraged to promote dialogue, understanding, and peaceful coexistence, rather than allowing differences to divide us. She encouraged Nigerians to see their diversity as a source of strength and unity, rather than a source of conflict.
“The World Culture Day is an opportunity to remind and help us to understand the value of cultural diversity and the vital role it plays in ensuring peaceful co-existence as a vital tool for socio-economic growth and development.
“It is a day for deep reflection on where we are as a nation. Taking into cognizance that our dear country is characterized by plurality of culture and ethnicity, it behooves on us to change the narrative on people who are culturally, ethnically and religiously different from us, in order to curb terrorism, kidnapping and banditry and other negative vices as we forge ahead as one people with a common goal”.
She also announced that the Ministry will continue to work tirelessly with its agencies and stakeholders to promote Nigeria’s creative economy and boost the nation’s image, in line with its Eight-point Plan to make Nigeria ,Africa’s Creative Capital by 2030.
“I wish to assure you that the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, in line with its Mandate to harness the potentials of Nigeria’s Creative Economy for socio-economic empowerment, economic diversification and job creation, will continue to work tirelessly with our Agencies and relevant stakeholders to boost the image of Nigeria and improve the lives of our people through the Ministry’s Eight-point Plan for Nigeria’s destination 2030 to become Africa’s Creative Capital.
“I call on all Nigerians to present our culture with with deep pride and appreciation and encourage us to continue to see our diversity as our source of strength and unity from which we can build a progressive nation for us all”.
The World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (World Culture Day) is a day set aside by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on May 21st every year to raise awareness on the role of Culture in sustainable socio-economic growth and development.
Culture
Culture Ministry secures UNESCO Inscription for Sango Festival, Midwifery traditions

According to Musawa, the achievement was made possible through the Ministry’s tireless efforts and strategic collaborations at the national and international levels, in line with the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.
“The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, plays a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting cultural diversity worldwide. It helps in raising the awareness about the significance of Intangible Cultural Heritage, encourages dialogue between communities, fosters respect for cultural expressions and promotes sustainable development by preserving traditional knowledge and practices.
“The inclusion of these two Nigerian cultural elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has transformed them into shared global heritage (products) with enhanced visibility. The 181 States; Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are predisposed to visiting Nigeria to enjoy these cultural expressions.
“The anticipated increase in tourism inflow into the country, will result in global visibility, job creation and wealth generation , thereby contributing to sustainable national growth and development, economic well-being and pride in national cultural identity”.
The two key products from Nigeria were inscribed on the UNESCO representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity during the 18th Session of the Inter-Governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Kasane Botswana from 4th to 9th December 2023.
The Sango Festival and Midwifery traditions have now been recognized as integral parts of human cultural heritage, joining five previous Nigerian inscriptions: Ifa Divination System (2008), Oral Heritage of Gelede (2008), Ijele Masquerade (2009), Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival (2016), and Kwagh-hir Theatrical Performance (2019).
This milestone not only promotes cultural diversity and community cohesion but also contributes to sustainable development, job creation, and wealth generation through increased tourism. It aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which prioritizes the appreciation and preservation of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The Minister of Arts Culture and the Creative Economy Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has announced the Ministry’s achievement in pushing for UNESCO’s inscription of Sango festival Oyo and the multinational nominating of Midwifery: knowledge skills and practices.
A statement by her special adviser on media Nneka Nkem Anibeze quoted the minister to have spoken at the Federal Executive Council Meeting, presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday, while briefing the Council on the strategic activities of the ministry since its establishment in August 2023.

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