By Izunna Okafor


Youths have been advised to emulate creative people, cherish, pursue and imbibe creativity as one of the greatest virtues in life.
The call was made by the Chairman of the Akwa Literary Society and Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Mr. James Ezeh as poets, writers and other creative minds across the country gathered to mark the second edition of "Return To Idoto", which is a ceremonial poetic event celebrated in memory of Late. Chief Christopher Okigbo, a foremost Nigerian Poet who died in 1967 during the Nigerian Civil War.
Peregrinating a little backward to Okigbo's life and personality, he described Late Chief Okigbo as a pen master whose poetic prowess was second to none, owing to the great impacts he made with ink and the leviathan vestiges he left in the field of pen, and argue that all these indeed are worthy of celebration and emulation, being the reason for initiating program, which is usually held on Okigbo's birthday.
The event which started with Burn Fire Night featured poetry recitation/performances, libations, an adventurous tour to Okigbo's grave, Okwu Ụkpaka Ojoto (the well-engendered shrine of the historic Idoto Spirit), Okwu Idoto (The Temple of Idoto, the female goddess), Ụkpaka tree under (where Late Okigbo used to repose and sometimes compose his poems), and finally to the historic Idoto River, being some of the strategic places which were all topical and significant to Okigbo's life and writing/books. And some slams of dulcet epopees were poured at each of these places.
For the sake of symbolism, the tour was proudly led (amidst libations) by three red-dressed women, one dangling a bell, one screaming the libation, and the other popularly known as Ọgbanje leading the way with an arcane ornamental staff, registering the glory behind the event.
The event which ended in conviviality attracted great poets, writer and creative minds from every part of the who all gathered to witness, participate and cheer up.
Among these highly revered poets and writers include Mr. Denja Abdullahi (the National President of Association of Nigerian Authors);
Mr. Ikeogu Oke (the Winner of the Nigerian Prize For Literature 2017);
Miss Amarachi Atama (Igbo poet and CEO of Nwaadadịọramma and ỌJA); Mr. Odịlị Ujubụọñụ (the author of 'Pregnancy of The gods' and two-time winner of ANA Prize For Literature); Sir. Chuka Nnabụife (a poet, a journalist, an actor, and CEO/Editor-in-Chief of the National Light Newspaper); Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh (a poet/author and the dean Faculty of Art Chukwuemeka Ọdụmegwu Ojukwu Univeesity Ịgbarịam, as well as the Secretary General of ANA, Anambra Chapter); Mr. Maxim Ụzọatụ (a Poet and Author), among others.