The Anambra State Government has approved the celebration of the 2026 Imo Awka Festival scheduled for Saturday.
The state government had earlier called for a shift in the date of the festival, insisting that it coincided with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) primary elections slated for May 23.
Government had argued that with two major events holding on the same day, it would be difficult to adequately deploy security personnel, hence the need for a shift in the Imo Awka Festival, a cultural event celebrated by the people of Awka to honour the god of fertility and purification.
However, in a letter released by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, signed by the Commissioner, Don Onyenji, and addressed to the President-General of Awka Development Union, with copies to His Royal Highness, Gibson Nwosu, Eze Uzu II, the Traditional Ruler of Awka, and the leadership of the Ozo Awka Society, the government approved the celebration.
The ministry, however, outlined conditions for the celebration, directing participants to conduct themselves peacefully, avoid blocking major roads and ensure that masquerades and other celebrants do not carry dangerous weapons.
Part of 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 May 23, 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 the Imo Awka Festival on May 23, 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 large number 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 participants 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 movement 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 II), and the people of Awka ahead of the festival, urging them to ensure that the celebration is conducted peacefully and orderly.
David-Chyddy Eleke
