Njikoka Mayor, Deputy Throw Weight Behind Okpa Fiesta 5.0, Pledge Full Support for December Showdown

By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes

The Mayor of Njikoka Local Government Area, Hon. Ikechukwu Okakpu, and his deputy, Hon. Ifunanya Nwanadile, have thrown their weight behind the fifth edition of Okpa Fiesta, pledging the council’s full support and participation in the cultural event scheduled for December 12, 2026.

The council leadership gave the assurance when the Okpa Fiesta 5.0 team, led by the convener, Miss Lucia Enahoro, paid a courtesy visit to seek partnership and support ahead of the highly anticipated celebration.

Enahoro congratulated the mayor and his deputy on their assumption of office, describing them as a promising leadership team. She also appreciated the council leadership for its support and participation in previous editions, noting that Okpa Fiesta has continued to grow into a platform for celebrating Igbo culture, promoting indigenous delicacies and bringing young people together.

She described okpa as a nutritious traditional delicacy deeply rooted in Igbo food culture, stressing that the fiesta provides an opportunity to preserve cultural identity while promoting locally made foods and showcasing Anambra’s rich heritage.

The convener presented visitation kits to the council leadership and assured them that the December 12 edition would deliver a rich blend of entertainment, cultural displays and indigenous cuisine, with a strong focus on projecting the Made in Anambra brand.

Also speaking, Miss Uchechukwu Ebonam of the Anambra Broadcasting Service expressed optimism over the growing visibility of Okpa Fiesta 5.0 across the state. She called on culture enthusiasts, political leaders and other stakeholders to identify with the initiative, adding that the event offers an opportunity to connect with communities while promoting shared cultural values.

Receiving the delegation, Mayor Okakpu expressed delight at the visit and described Okpa Fiesta as an initiative the council was willing to partner with to advance cultural promotion and community engagement.

He assured the organisers that Njikoka would fully support and participate in the December event, noting that the fiesta could help showcase the area’s cultural identity while providing a platform to communicate government programmes and policies to the people.

The mayor commended Enehoro for her vision in bringing young people together and encouraging them to embrace the traditions and values of their communities.

In her remarks, Deputy Mayor Nwanadile recalled the journey of Okpa Fiesta from its first edition and expressed appreciation for the progress recorded over the years. She praised the convener’s commitment to sustaining the initiative as a platform for reconnecting younger generations with their cultural roots.

Nwanadile pledged her continued support for the fiesta, describing the promotion of Igbo cultural heritage as an important responsibility that requires collective effort.

With the Njikoka council leadership pledging its support, Okpa Fiesta 5.0 is set to further promote indigenous food, cultural identity and youth participation when it holds on December 12, 2026.