By Ifeizu Joe
Anambra State government has given its consent for the celebration of Imo Awka festival of 2026 on Saturday.
The state government had earlier called for a shift in the date of the festival, insisting that it fell on Saturday 23, a day set aside for the primary elections of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the ruling party in the state.
Government had earlier said that with two big event holding on same day, it would be unwise to split security, hence the need for a shift in the Imo Awka festival, a cultural event of the people of Awka to celebrate the god of fertility and purification.
But a letter released by the ministry of culture and tourism, which was signed by its commissioner, Udorji Amedu and addresses to the President General, Awka Development Union and copied to His Royal Highness, Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu Il (the Traditional Ruler of Awka and the Leadership of Ozo Awka Society, the state government said the celebration can go on.
The ministry however gave conditions, saying that celebrants must conduct themselves respectfully, ensure that they do not block major roads, and also warn masquerades and other celebrants against wielding dangerous weapons.
The letter read: “Having received strong written assurances from the leadership of the Awka Development Union Nigeria, and Ozo Awka Society that they will provide additional security and ensure that the Imo-Awka Festival scheduled for the 23rd of May, 2026 will be celebrated in an orderly manner, and in line with the Government’s commitment to the promotion of the cultural heritage of our people, the Anambra State Government hereby approves the celebration of Imo Awka Festival on the 23May, 2026.
“Considering the status of Awka as the capital city of Anambra State which besides the major political activities scheduled for the said date, hosts a deluge of visitors daily, and based on the need to maintain law and order in Awka on the: said date, the State Government hereby issues the following directives to those participating in the festival.
“To allow free movement of citizens, there shall be no blocking or closure of any public road and there shall be no obstruction of human or vehicular movements on any public road on the date.
“There shall be no brandishing or wielding of any dangerous weapon by any masquerade or any person or group of persons on any public road in Awka on the said date.
“No road user shall be harassed, intimidated, flogged or assaulted in any manner whatsoever by any masquerade or person or group of persons and no violence of any sort shall be meted out by any masquerade or person or group of persons in Awka on the said date.
“All those participating in the festival are enjoined to be law abiding and decent in their actions and to celebrate the festival as a reflection of the cultural values of the Awka people.”
The State Government congratulated the Traditional Ruler of Awka, His Royal Highness, Igwe Gibson Nwosu (Eze Uzu Il) and the good people of Awka in advance on the occasion of the Imo-Awka festival and urged them to ensure that the festival is celebrated in an orderly manner.”
