MAIDEN OWERRI BONGO | OLD DELICACIES FIESTA 2019:

CHIEF WILLIE AMADI, LEO STAN EKEH, IRETE 1 , REVITALIZE BONGO MUSIC IN IMO STATE AMIDST COMMENDATIONS.

+ Njoku MacDonald Obinna

Owerri, Imo State .

There is no doubt that , Bongo music has become the signature tune of the South -East and most parts of South -South , Nigeria . While this genre of music with its social vibe is highly felt and celebrated amongst the South Easterners, yet , it has not been given the needed push to give it the international place of pride that it truly deserves .

No doubt again that , Bongo music , amongst other genres of music like ; American hip -hop with additional influences from Reggae, R&B, Afro beat , dancehall , is a typical African highlife where traditional instruments like drums, ogene, bass guitar , etc , are used to produce the native tunes and vibes ❗

While efforts are assiduously made to push it to the international scene , Bong music remains the in-thing among the jolly good fellows of the South -South Nigeria and its inhabitants; as some of the musicians have even gone ahead to remix songs of the early 60s, 70s and 80s to the admiration of their fans and all lovers of Bongo music ❗

Little wonder , the trio of Chief Willie Amadi (Ukwa Achiaka), Chief CY Amako (Irette 1) and Chijioke Orji ; illustrious sons of Owerri Federal Constituency : who are known and reckoned for their skills and God's given talents of using Owerre local dialect to produce heart warming and attention captivating good tunes through Bongo music, believe that the music of Bongo should not be allowed to go extinct .

While dissecting the individual thoughts of the organisers of the Maiden Owerri Bongo Music Fiesta , Publisher of 4thestatereporters.com , Njoku MacDonald Obinna, alluded that ; " It is absolutely important that at this time in our history that we begin to look inwards into what can help the culture of our people grow and reckon with international standards".

By his attendance alongside his amiable wife, Lady Ebere Ihedioha, and the retinue of his colorful entourage , the lmo State governor His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Nkemakolam Ihedioha , CON, KSC , has once again demonstrated his avowed commitment in promoting the tourism sector of the state's economy while strengthening traditional institutions that were virtually turned to mere social gathering in lmo state .

Indeed , it was a night of conviviality; of friendship; social rendezvous ; promotion of cultural heritage and landmarks ; celebration of God's abundant grace and direction in lmo state under the highly focused administration of His Excellency , Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha . A governor who has thrown caution to the wind by overstretching himself to see a rebuilt lmo State barley 7 months in office .

Yes , the atmosphere was fully charged last weekend , Saturday , December 14th , 2019 ; as Chief (Barr.) Willie Amadi (Ukwa Achiaka, Owerre ) , Chief CY Amako ( Irette 1) and Chijioke Orji assembled all the A-list accredited super highlife and Bongo artistes at the International Conference Centre , Owerri, to entertain the governor , members of the State Executive Council , Honourable members of the State House of Assembly , leaders of thoughts and critical stakeholders in the state , political associates and friends of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha , CON, KSC, ahead of the Christmas celebration.

The Nigerian Creative Industry , with its primary goal of promoting and ensuring sustainability of local culture , arts , landmarks, traditional values and tourism through both urbane and bongo music , has seen a Chief Willie Amadi , as a core promoter and strategic sponsor of Bongo Music export to the African continent and the rest of the world.

Last Saturday's night , brought back fond memories of what lmo State used to be ; in the old good days of late Nda Sam Mbakwe PhD : The old good days of Oriental Brothers..
Vintage Chief Willie Amadi ; a true son and lover of Owerri zone .
A critical stakeholder of its tradition and culture.
One of the committed promoters of Owerre dialect both at home and overseas.

By paying less attention to the cost implication of organising such watershed event in a season like this , Chief Willie Amadi , Chief CY Amako -' Irette 1' and Chijioke Orji who sponsored the Owerri Bongo Music Fiesta | Old Delicacies 2019 ; demonstrated their love for the good people of Imo state and their governor, and even showed strong commitment in revitalizing Bongo Music as a well accepted international brand.

Chief Willie Amadi (Ukwa Achiaka), who is a strategic promoter and strong advocate of the Bongo and Igbo native music rebirth in Nigeria , is of the feeling that; " We are not actually limiting ourselves .The Bongo Fiesta is an all encompassing festival of activities as Bongo music is also part of our culture ".

However , no gain saying the fact that almost every South Easterner loves Bongo music and dances to its rhythms , lyrics , tunes and vibes ❗

Nda Willie Amadi, an embodiment of a proud Owerre man and jolly good fellow; is of the strongest opinion that Bongo music must be rebirthed , relaunched and pushed to the world as a major contributor to the state 's revenue generation through the tourism sector and additional income earner to Nigeria's Gross Domestic Product .

Interestingly , last Saturday's Maiden Bongo Music Fiesta was not limited to the beating of the drums and other instruments . It was a two -prolong celebration in the sense that apart from the Bongo musicians who sang to the listening and dancing pleasure of the state governor and his guests , the fiesta also showcased Owerre local foods and promotion of dialect through the Bongo music .

However , during the night , we had command of performances from A-list Bongo artistes featuring ;
Dr. Sir. Foreigner (Eze Bongo with his Eje Ayoo ooh)

Obinna Umoh with his Ababa Nna vibe.

Chima Eke (Obara Eze) with his block buster Ika Kwara Aka vibe!

King Saro Wiwa who played Bongo Jere Ozo Ije.

Sunny Bobo with Onye Kele Sunny, Sunny Ekele ya.

While Prosper , Koko Nwa Jesus , Done 1 Chinedu Orji (Utu gbawara igwe) and Uche Obinna (Warrior) also played different remixed old Bongo songs.

What about the Owerre old delicacies that featured prominent vendors ' kitchens in Otown?

Nda Willie Amadi and other organisers of this memorable fiesta went as far as bringing together established vendors and kitchens who prepared a variety of sumptuous meals for dinner .

Native delicacies that our fore -fathers ate and lived more than 100 years old were served on the dinner menu. Such old delicacies included ; Ofe Owerre with oha , Okazi , Ugu, Okporoko and Azu; Okro & Ugu with eju , kanda , Shaki and Azu , Akidi, Agidi. Akara and bread. Nkwobi. Cowtail, Ugba. Ukwu i ukwu. Roasted fish, yam, plantain and cocoa- yam. Ukwa with urubiri and Sungu fish. Unripe plantain porridge with ikpokwa fish.

4thestatereporters.com captured the best 6 kitchens in Ala Owerre ;

Hungry Man, Akashimi,
Nda Leti , Pepsi -inn, Isha ga Eri? and Country Joint Bush Meats.

From the foregoing , the creme da la creme and galaxy of personalities who attended this historical and epoch -making event is a huge testimonial that the trio of Chief Willie Amadi , Chief CY Amako (Irette 1) and Chijioke Amadi ; are respected and illustrious sons of lmo state ; of Owerri extraction , who are not only proud of their roots and cultural heritage, but also have a dose of healthy respect for tradition as they are constantly in touch with their people.

According to Chief Willie Amadi ; who spoke in a typical Owerre local dialect ; " It's a very unusual night where too much protocols are not observed . A night set aside to celebrate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha , CON, KSC.

4thestatereporters.com authoritatively gathered that , " Chief Leo Stan Ekeh ; an International ICT Billionaire |Entrepreneur ; a great and proud son of Owerri Federal Constituency ; a renowned Disk Jockey (DJ) and lover of Bongo music flew in from London, United Kingdom, in his private jet that evening to enjoy wonderful evening of brothers and sisters amidst banters and laughers synonymous with Christmas season ❗

The Imo born -ICT Billionaire business maverick, Leo Stan Ekeh, , while appreciating the governor for finding time to attend the watershed event , despite his busy schedules , maintained that; " The Maiden Edition of the Owerri Bongo Music Fiesta 2019 was organised to test its acceptability promising that subsequent editions shall be bigger and better ❗

Indeed , it was an usual night as the governor , members of his entourage as well as other guests were not only treated with mouth watering Owerre local old delicacies , but were also thrilled with native Bongo music and lyrics till 1: 45am of Sunday morning ; as Dr. Sir. Foreigner (Eze Bongo) played to the dancing pleasure of the lmo state governor .

What a night to remember ? Especially, in the spirit of the Yuletide season as the fiesta ended with lucky winners of the raffle tickets , organized by Konga.com and powered by Chief Leo Stan Ekeh (Chairman , Zinox Computers) , went home with different star prizes ranging from Microwave , bread toaster and television .

Chief Willie Amadi, Chief CY Amako (Irette 1) and Chijioke Orji, therefore , thanked Chairman of Zinox Computers , Leo Stan Ekeh and Konga ; for their support and presence ❗

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Media Consultant| • News Reporter | •Blogger