THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Dignitaries, including frontline politicians, business leaders, traditional rulers and diplomats, are billed to attend the main event celebrating the culture of Igbo people in Germany in Nuremberg on Saturday, 17 August.
Among the eminent personalities expected at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Day in Germany are Senator Ike Ekweremadu, immediate past deputy president of the Senate; Chief John Nnia Nwodo, President-General of pan-Igbo socio-cultural organisation Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Chief Innocent Chukwuma, CEO of Innoson Group of Companies; His Royal Majesty Eze Chukwuemeka Eri, Eze Akajiofo Igbo; and HE Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, who’s billed as the chief host.
Among other special guests expected to add substance and colour to the event are Chief (Mrs) Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former governor of Anambra State; Chief Mike Okiro, former Inspector General of Police; Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo; Alhaji Suleiman Dauda Umar, Nigerian Consul-General in Frankfurt; John C. Ejinaka, former Nigerian Consul-General Frankfurt; governors of the five South-Eastern states, among others.
Organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany (N.I.G), the umbrella body of all Igbo organisations in Germany, the event primarily aims to showcase the culture of the Igbos, one of Nigeria’s major ethno-national groups, and promote better Nigerian-German relations.
“This gathering will provide a forum for Ndi-Igbo Diasporans and other stakeholders to network and consult on issues of economic importance and enable an atmosphere of better, broader cooperation between the German-Nigerian business communities with the aim of boosting investors’ interest and facilitating pragmatic exchange of expertise and transfer of technology to Nigeria,” in a statement signed by Oge Ozofor, NIG’s coordinator, and Joe-Blaise Nnaemeka Akanazu, the event committee chairman and NIG deputy coordinator.
“It is also an opportunity to demonstrate our unity, showcase the richness of our culture, our resilient and adaptable spirit, our unanimity in identifying with the high standard of our forebears and heroes of past,” the organisers stated in the press release.
Even though it’s an arts and culture festival, the Day also provides an opportunity to discuss the current political situation in Nigeria, which can only be described as precarious, and the way forward for Africa’s most populous nation.
Also expected to attend the Igbo Cultural Day 2019, which will feature cultural performances including the famed Yam Festival, are Igbo community leaders, businessmen and women, politicians and others, from across Europe.
Austin Ohaegbu
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2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Day
17 August 2019, from 12 Noon
Venue: Löwensaal am Tier Garten,
Schmausenbruck Str. 166,
90480 Nürnberg, Germany
Contact:
Engr. Oge Ozofor, N.I.G Coordinator
Tel.: +491521886775
Nnaemeka Joe-Blaise Akanazu,
N.I.G Deputy-Coordinator & Chairman, Organising Committee
Tel.: +4915113400719
Email: info@ndiigbogermany.de
