Chief Emejuru: “It is important for our children to know our cultures”
The Igbo Cultural Association of Rome-Lazio recently held a colourful Cultural Day in Rome.
The event which also served as an end year party, featured traditional dances and songs and a special Igbo masquerade performance.
For many years, the Igbos in Rome and Lazio have not been holding such important events because the association wasn’t active, said Chief Steve Okey Emejuru, President of Orlu Senatorial Zone Cultural Association of Nigeria (Rome-Lazio).
Chief Emejuru, who was one of the main organizers of the Cultural Day, led a band composed of Italians and Africans from different countries, in entertaining the guests with Igbo songs.
“The aim of the event was to bring together the Igbos in Rome and Lazio to renew our unity and celebrate our traditional culture,” Chief Emejuru said. “It was also meant to teach our children the Igbo culture.”
Chief Emejuru noted that many Igbo children born in Italy don’t know the culture of their parents. “They even laugh at their parents when they speak Igbo at home,” he said.
“It is important for our children to know our cultures, to know about where we have come from,” Chief Emejuru said.
Now that the association has been revived and new leaders chosen to represent each of Nigeria’s Igbo speaking States, Chief Emejuru said that they’ll be holding many similar cultural events.
By Stephen Ogongo Ongong'a
