AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY CHIEF DR. (MRS) UZOAMAKA JOSEPHINE AGUOJI DURING THE 11 TH IGBO WORLDWIDE FESTIVAL OF ART AND CULTURE ON 2 ND AND 3RD AUGUST 2024 AT IGBO
LANDING ST SIMONS ISLAND, GEORGIA
Greetings distinguished guests, esteemed elders, the special guest of honor His Majesty Eze Chukwuemeka Eri (Eze ora the 34th and Eze aka ji ovo Igbo), the CISA Board Chairman, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, CISA Vice Board Chairman, Onye Nze Amadiebube Mbama, CISA Board Adviser, Dr. Napoleon Onyechi, Oba Odezuluigbo, all members of CISA Board of Governing Council Directors, all CISA DSG’s, CISA past Presidents, the entire members of CISA far and wide, fellow Igbo brothers and sisters. It is with great pleasure and honor that I welcome you all to this momentous 11th Igbo Worldwide Festival of Arts and Culture holding today Friday 2nd August, 2024 and tomorrow Saturday 3rd August, 2024. I thank the Almighty God for granting all of us His grace and unmerited favor to witness this year’s festival in good health and for the journey mercies already granted and continuously granting all His Children.
I am standing here today as the President of CISA for the years 2024 & 2025. Personally, this year event is unique, as it is the first outing of a Female CISA President. CISA is waxing strong and remains one of the top diaspora groups that has continued to excel as Onowu na Abagana Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze will always say during the CISA Board of Directors meetings.
Last year our Theme was “Igbo Landing! Memorializing our Ancestors Who Refused to be Enslaved” and in this year’s Theme we shifted from the memory lane to celebration — “Celebrating The Resilience of Igbo Culture: Past, Present and Future”. A theme that resonates deeply with the essence of who we are as a people. The Igbo culture is one that has withstood the test of time, overcoming countless challenges and adversities throughout history. From our rich traditions and customs to our strong sense of unity, the resilience of Igbo culture is truly something to be celebrated and honored.
As we gather here today, we come together to not only celebrate our past achievements and successes, but also to reflect on the present and look towards the future. It is important for us to remember where we come from, to appreciate the struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors, and to continue to uphold and preserve our cultural heritage for generations to come. Culture is our identity (as Oliver De Coque-rightly sang) and for us here at CISA a binding cord. I am confident that Igbo Culture will continue to thrive and flourish in the years to come.
As we celebrate the resilience of Igbo culture: past, present and future, let us also celebrate our GREAT CISA Family. Thanks to our dedication and commitment in upholding our culture. We all have consistently worked together to promote the values and traditions that make us proud Igbos. I thank you all for your foresight, your vision and for holding on and working very hard to create with God’s help the CISA platform on which I am privileged to stand on today! I say, a big Thank You! God blessings and more strength- And together we will continue to uphold, uplift and make CISA a pride amongst other Organizations as we keep the Flag flying.
I would like to thank the Chairman planning Committee of this festival, the CISA PRO, the members of Food Committee, the Media Committee, the CISA Secretary, our brothers and sisters from another mother residing here in America and other parts of the Universe and most importantly my friend/sister from High School Mrs. Janefrances Obododike who has presented herself, too valuable working in concert with the media team and making sure that her friend/ sister outlook is super and timely. Shout out to Dr. Sidney Davis, Chief Prince Eluemuno, Dr. Douglas Chambers, Dr. Kevin Hales and Ms Jessica Jenkins for always availing themselves for successful events.
My dear CISA family, yes, definitely, we are doing great by all standards but we have to put a system in place, so that CISA will not only run but also fly steadily and faster and continually thrive irrespective of whom is stirring the ship or the President. We also need to ensure that CISA remains financially stable to support our initiatives and activities. To achieve this, I want to stand on the recommendations made by past CISA presidents to introduce a yearly due of
$100.00 per member, as it will go a long way to maintain the vitality of CISA. Permit me to share with all of you that CISA will be feeding our guests for these two days without any charge, so we should act fast on how we can keep sustaining CISA financially. I want to deeply appreciate the commitment of all our members who has generously supported our activities financially by constantly tasking themselves. Chukwu gozie unu! (May God bless you all).
Our first of its kind CISA flag will be raised today at this Igbo Worldwide Festival of Art and Culture, to indicate that our event has commenced. Please, on Saturday night to commemorate the end of the event, please change into your party dress/Sunday best and dancing shoes to dance away the night after the cultural displays.
For the future, we have proposed and passed by the Board that the Centre for Igbo Studies (CIS), University of Nigeria, Nsukka will host CISA in partnership with ALL the Organizations/Associations/Individuals here in the USA and on the ground who will want to contribute towards the betterment and success of Ndi Igbo on the 12th, December 2025 to celebrate Igbo World Festival of Arts and Cultural Event there with our sisters and brothers who were not privileged to attend the event here in the USA during the summer of 2025.
In Conclusion, I thank you for all the selfless work that you all do in different ways to help CISA soar. Please do not rest on your oars because much is still desired to be accomplished.
We are in this together!
One People, One Voice, One Destiny! God bless us all!
Long Live CISA!!
Forward Ever, Backward Never!!!
Yours in service.
Chief Dr. Josephine Uzoamaka Aguoji IruUgegbe, Ochinudo
President CISA
