Igbo Diaspora Comes Home: CISA and IWA Launch Vibrant Maiden Festival of Arts and Culture in Anambra
By Chizoba Njaka
Drums echoed through the Ikendigbo Event Centre as the Council of Igbo States in America (CISA) and Igbo World Assembly (IWA) unveiled the first-ever CISA Festival of Arts and Culture on the ancestral soil of Igboland. Held on December 12, 2025, in Njikoka Local Government Area, the event pulsed with colour, rhythm, and a profound call to reclaim Igbo roots amid a global diaspora.
Dignitaries from Nigeria and abroad filled the venue, including Caribbean-born Igbo descendant Prince Sidney Davis Eluemuno, royal host His Majesty Eze Chukwuemeka Eri (Eze Akaji Ovo Igbo), Regent Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, and leaders from seven Igbo-speaking states. Scholars, cultural enthusiasts, and community figures gathered under the theme "Oganiru Ifediche" (Positive Impact), aiming to bridge continents through shared history, values, and identity.
Prof. Chidi G. Osuagwu, Chairman of the African Centre for Biomedical Engineering Research, delivered a stirring keynote titled "Transatlantic Igbo Civilization Bridge and Ndubuisi World Order." He urged diaspora Igbos to safeguard their cultural sovereignty, drawing on the Igbo spirit of freedom and resilience. Osuagwu evoked the haunting 1803 Igbo Landing – where enslaved Igbos chose the sea over bondage, trusting it to carry them home – as a timeless symbol of unbreakable ties to Igboland.
"Our identity endures despite centuries of displacement," Osuagwu declared, linking ancient Igbo values to Pan-African icons like Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and Edward Wilmot Blyden. He called for a renaissance: not just physical returns, but deep cultural, psychological, and spiritual reconnections.
CISA President Chief Dr. Mrs. Uzoamaka Josephine Aguoji beamed with pride, noting the festival's evolution from a U.S. based tradition to this homeland milestone. "True progress roots in culture," she said. "This isn't a one-off – it's the start of a dual-location legacy, alternating between diaspora and home. Future CISA leaders, carry this torch.
"Prince Eluemuno, President and Co-founder of the Igbo Landing Project, echoed the sentiment in an exclusive interview. "Afro-American Igbos, it's time to heal the slave trade's scars and reclaim our language, land, and people," he said. "Our culture is African. Come home.
"Local host Hon. Okafor Okunwa, President-General of Abagana Welfare Union, hailed his community's role. "Igbos are among the world's most intelligent and forward-driving people," he said, praising Eluemuno's dedication.
The night exploded into celebration with traditional dances, masquerade displays, and performances showcasing Igbo diversity. As the festival closed, attendees left inspired a cultural bridge rebuilt, one vibrant step at a time.