By Ayomide Otitoju
Anambra State is set for a Christmas celebration like no other as Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo launches Onwa Dezemba, a state-branded festival aimed at uniting the people, promoting tourism, and showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage.
Speaking on the festival, Law Mefor, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, described December—Dezemba in Igbo—as more than a holiday. For the Igbo, it is a period of homecoming, reflection, and communal celebration. “Igbo people return from all over the world to join family and friends at home in celebrations that can last two to three weeks across communities,” he noted. In many areas, burials are suspended during this period to make way for festivities, resuming in early January.
Mefor emphasized that while December celebrations are not new, Onwa Dezemba represents a first in branding, unifying, and institutionalizing the yuletide across Anambra State. Inspired by popular events like Lagos’ Detty December and the Calabar Carnival, the festival aims to position Anambra as a cultural and tourism hub of the South East.
The inaugural 2025 edition began on December 10 with the lighting and decoration of the Christmas tree at Solution FunCity. The festival will continue until January 2026, featuring nine major events across Awka, Onitsha, and Ekwulobia, as well as activities in other towns. Key highlights include the Solution FunCity Christmas Cantata, the Masquerade Festivals at Ezechima Primary School and Alex Ekwueme Square, the Christmas Day Children’s Carnival, and the MegaFest 2.0 concert headlined by Flavour Na Abania & Friends.
“The festival is designed to bring Ndi Anambra together through culture, entertainment, family-friendly activities, and community engagement,” Mefor said. He added that the festival also supports local creatives, performers, and MSMEs, while promoting the state as a destination for domestic and international tourists.
Governor Soludo’s vision for Onwa Dezemba goes beyond celebration. It seeks to transform Anambra into a state where people not only return for festivities but also live, work, and thrive year-round. “There is no greater branding masterpiece than the 2025 Onwa Dezemba. It is poised to surpass similar events elsewhere and make Anambra a destination of choice,” Mefor concluded.
