Obi Cubana, Mr Ibu and other prominent persons have been decorated with traditional titles at the 2021 Nollywood New Yam Festival.
The pair were honored alongside Fahad Al Taffaq, United Arab Emirate (UAE) ambassador to Nigeria.
Obi Cubana was given the title of ‘Ifeomaolibo’ for his youth-oriented empowerment initiatives while the ‘Ogbocioma’ title was conferred on Mr Ibu for his positive impact in the movie industry.
Taffaq was also given the ‘Ugocinba’ title which means an eagle from a foreign land that is well-cherished.
The annual event usually showcases Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. The event was organised by Onwurah Ifeanyi, former chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Abuja chapter.
He said:“This is a festival that Nollywood stakeholders put in place to always remind them of their roots and culture,” Ifeanyi said.
“In the time past, we were forgetting our roots, but now we are trying to see what we can do every year to bring people back
“I used the festival to be a pointer to other African cultures. You can see people dress in Edo, Calabar, Yoruba, Hausa and other attire to attend. So that is the pointer.
“Aside the celebration, we are awarding a lot of people. The award became necessary because, so many people has helped Nollywood and humanity.”
The AGN’s president, Emeka Rollas said the event is to celebrate Nollywood as it continues to promote the country’s cultural heritage.
“It is believed that when you do not celebrate the harvest of yam in a year, that the next year’s harvest may not be fruitful,” he said.
“That is why it is very imperative as Nollywood has become the most important export of Nigeria as far as culture is concern.
“That is why every year, we gather here in the celebration of the yam as a symbol of unity for Nigeria and for the Igbo man.”
