Opinions From Africa hosted her second annual made in Anambra Poetry Concert – African Sensation II: Jidechukwu Angela Nwabueze reports
The year 2020 was one like none other – with the COVID-19 precautions and restrictions, travel bans, economic downturn, and the #EndSARS protests. These events affected everyone in remarkable ways and it appeared like we lived in the period of uncertainty.
We were faced with the option of sitting still until all is well, but we recognized that all will never be well unless we come together and rise together.
It was in light of this need to come together and rise together that we decided to host the Second Edition of the “Made in Anambra Poetry Concert- African Sensation II”.
The event took place on Sunday 6th December 2020 at Geneva Hotel and Suites, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State.
we created a beautiful and successful poetry concert. Our main aim of hosting the poetry concert was to celebrate the ability of Africans to survive hard times and also to tell African stories in the most colorful way; giving people opportunity to relax while appreciating various African talents.
Jidechukwu A.N
In the words of John Chizoba Vincent;
We hosted a poetry concert in order to come together and reset our poetic sense.
A beautiful art is not created by a single artist and the poetry concert is an art made beautiful with the help of other artists.
Among the poetry concert committee were Kosisochukwu Nwagboso (Founder, Opinions From Africa), Jidechukwu Nwabueze (Host), Ifunanya Okonkwo (Concert Manager), Christian Chijioke (OFA graphics designer), Arinzechukwu Ezeoke, Fortunate Ifeanaejere (CEO Sconate Ventures), Sylvester Nwagboso (CEO Vanos Event), Winner Oyibor, ChinazaOnuegbu, John Chizoba Vincent (CEO Philm Republic), Onyekaba MaryJane, Keturah Ekpro Andino, among others.
The poetry concert featured internationally accredited and award winning poets like;
- Dike Chukwumerije (the founder of Simply Poetry and Nigeria’s leading poet),
- Amara Attamah (Nwadioramma- Nigeria’s leading Igbo performance poet),
- GracianoEnwerem (Winner of words grand slam, and South-South leading poet),
- Toby Abiodun (a multi poetry slam champion),
- Rev. Fr. Chinonso Okwudinka (the priest-poet),
- Siza Amah,
- Maazi Ufiem Ibiam (Ijele),
- Prompoet,
- Muna Chinese and Michael Osiagor.
The red carpet for the poetry concert began by 1pm while the main event started by 2pm with an opening prayer by Rev. Fr. Charles Udeke.
At this point, our anchors, the beautiful Marvel Oshimiri and the jovial Uchenna Kaiser Egbujie introduced themselves. The anchors were good with the mic and they were all shade of awesomeness.
Performances began immediately after the singing of the National and State anthem with a reflection from Ketura Ekpro Andino.
The reflection was meant to set us into the mood of the concert and it sure did. We were all left spellbound by her performance, especially the fact that she spoke like one that lives in the state.
Asides the internationally accredited and award winning poets we invited, we equally featured budding poets who we gave an opportunity to perform on our stage as a way of promoting poets in Anambra State.
These poets would make headlines if they have opportunities to explore themselves.
Divine, a poets who performed a poem on Africa was damn good. She came with flames and burnt us not just with words but with her mastery in performance. Infact, she was a thriller and everyone stood up for her after her performance.
Michael Osiagor of Rivers State, popularly known as MOG De Kpako Pikin held us captive in Awka with his performance. The hall was dead quiet as he took us on a journey to the chronicles of life in the street with his performance. We were touched. It felt so real.
Prompoet was good. He speaks life and breathes words with his performance. He took the stage and made a bed of roses and we simply lay in admiration.
Rev. Fr. Chinonso Okwudinka was good. He stole the heart of many with his poetry performance and we were actually thrilled with the fact that he was a priest. A priest-poet who was good with words. His kind are actually rare.
Dike Chukwumerije was not physically present to perform due to some constraints but he was live with us via zoom where he performed two of his poems.
Muna Chinedu, the beardy poet was so good. He decided to perform his poem through the eye of a drink and we stood still as he took the stage and made the very best out of it.
Amara Attamahof Enugu State, popularly called Nwadioramma is a goddess when it comes to Igbo poetry performance. Her smiles alone while she performed were poetic. She took us back to our root and breathed life on the stage while she performed.
Graciano Enwerem is a poet of all season. A perfect symbol of simplicity. No doubt, his performance sparked laughter. He performed poetry with so much ease and we loved his wordplays. The poem, “Omalicha” he performed stole the highlight of the day as we had ourselves searching the YouTube for a video of the poem.
Toby Abiodun is actually a mad poet. He has a spectacular way of just captivating his audience. His poem was not long but it was too good. He is just too perfect with wordplay.
The cute Siza Amah from Abia is a kind of poet that you would love to stay with always. His poems are just filled with strength that makes it so real. He is simply good with the mic.
Maazi Ufiem Ibiam (Ijele) was indeed a good representative of the Igbo culture. He was good. Real good. Poets like him make you feel like not going home.
The poetry concert would not have made much sense without performances from OFA (Opinions from Africa) poets. So, our poets- JidechukwuNwabueze, Winner Oyibor, MercyAdiola,FavourNsobudu, UcheIwudograced the stage and made us proud with their performances. They were delights to watch.
Students from the poetry department of Christ the Way Secondary School performed on stage. Among them was Favor who performed a poem titled “Had I known” and Mmesoma who stole the highlight of the day as a kid who was so bold to perform.
In the words of Sir Chuka Nnabuife, she was confident with words, bold with the microphone and excellent with her performance.
Asides spoken word poetry performances, there were other performances like mbem by Sir Anthony Ugorji (Ozo Ebubechukwu 1 of Nri. Okigbombem), Oja by Otika Oja, Violin performance by Street Violin, Sax by Sanga Sax and a poetry in drama form by the students of Christ the Way Secondary School, Nnewi.
After Performances
Sir ChukaNnabuife, CEO National Light Newspapers gave us words of encouragements and urged is to keep up with the dream of promoting Africa through poetry. He was really impressed with the poetry concert.
The Commissioner of Health, Anambra State came at the end of the poetry concert, took pictures with us, and encouraged us to keep up with the good work.
Finally, the poetry concert came to an end with a closing remark by the convener, Kosisochukwu Nwagboso, and a closing prayer by Rev. Fr. Chinonso Okwudinka.
