The 2021 edition of Ezimo Carnival and Cultural Fiesta represents an emerging Nsukka brand that will be sustained, Hon Chinedu Onu, co-chairman of the planning committee, said weekend.
Onu spoke when members of the Nsukka Journalists Foundation toured the Ezimo Waterfall, adjudged the deepest in West Africa.
He said God has blessed Ezimo community, hence the carnival would sell the tourism potentialities of the community to the global community.
Quoting him, “We are here to showcase what God has given to us as a people. With what we have, it is just a matter of time for Ezimo to be in the global tourism map.
“We have already gotten confirmation of participation from countries from two different continents of the world ahead of this fiesta scheduled from December 26 to 29th this year. And the numbers keep counting.
“It is not rocket science. We shall showcase what is seen during Calabar carnivals. Ezimo carnival is an emerging Nsukka brand that will be sustained. Many of us who are nostalgic about our country home believe that we are going to retire at home.
“To retire at home, we have to develop what we have to give us the joy of homeliness. By our last budget, in the next three years, we plan to invest over N5bn in this community. We have engaged consultants from wildlife conservations from Kenya and Rwanda. The consultants will unveil the community’s tourism master plan during this carnival.
“I was in Benin Republic where I saw the first Catholic church built there. We have concluded plans to replicate same in this community. Our waterfall is not just all. We have an avalanche of tourism potentialities of equal strength.”
The chairman of Ezimo Unity Forum, Mr Onyekachi Ugwu, said, “Ezimo is united as a community. We speak with one voice, and that is why we are proud of ourselves.
“Tourism is a rich trove of treasure, and Ezimo Unity Forum is taking the lead in marketing Ezimo tourism to the world.”
The chairman of the NJF, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, said, “We are happy to be part of these developmental initiatives of Ezimo people. We urge you to leave no stone unturned to realise the goals of the carnival and cultural fiesta.
“On our part, we shall support the discovery of other tourism potentials of our cultural zone, and seek partnership with relevant agencies to make our zone the tourism destination of the global community.”
Harrison Ogara, publisher of the Starlite, appreciated Ezimo community for living in peace. He also thanked Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for constructing the Udenu ring road, which passes through the community.
In his words, “We commend the people of Ezimo for being in peace. The Ezimo waterfall has come with a bang. It should be encouraged for international recognitions. The greatest thanks go to Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s rural development concepts.”
The traditional ruler of Ezimo community, HRH Igwe John Ugwu, commended the journalists for the tourism tour. He said, “We call for joint collaborations for the harnessing of our tourism and cultural potentialities. This will create jobs, wealth and recognition for our dear community.
“It is the best way to shun criminalities in a community. We want the world to know about Ezimo. It is a community of great human and natural blessings. The waterfall is just the tip of the iceberg. Ezimo will further make the proposed Nsukka Day memorable.”
The highlights of the event were the tour of the waterfall by the journalists, as well as the rendition of a pastoral poem in appreciation of Ezimo Waterfall by NJF chairman, Chijioke Amu-Nnandi, a renowned poet.
It was gathered that the event will feature masquerade displays, special children’s carnival, marathon, comedies, football, cultural exhibitions, to mention a few.