By Ifeyinwa Ogwo :
Anambra State Government in collaboration with Descendants Fortune Investment Ltd has unveiled a groundbreaking maiden edition of the Anambra Christmas Village 2024.
The village which will be situated at the Awka City Stadium next to the Solution Fun City and set to kick off on December 12, 2024 to January 12, 2025, is designed to capture the essence of Christmas and be the most enchanting and culturally vibrant holiday celebration in the state.
The village with the theme “People, Solution, and the Magic of Christmas” will showcase a variety of exciting and attractive activities. These include beautifully decorated Christmas trees, light displays, festive markets, live performances, cultural shows, car carnival, children’s playground, and interactive experiences.
The unveiling of the Christmas Village was carried out at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Awka.
In his address, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji expressed gratitude to Governor Charles Soludo and the Anambra State Executive Council (ANSEC) for approving the programme which according to him, is designed to help Anambra achieve the governor’s vision of transforming the state into a place where people can come to invest, relax, work, and enjoy.
He mentioned that the venue will be packed with thrilling activities because it is located right next to the Solution Fun City, which features a country club, water parks, amusement parks, cinemas, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a merry-go-round, and a swing about 38 feet high, which will add excitement to the occasion.
He then invited everyone to participate in the program by taking up a stand at the arena.
Announcing the winner of the Anambra State Christmas Village 2024 logo contest, the Commissioner for Industry, Mr. Christian Udechukwu congratulated Nzube Victor, for emerging as the winner of the contest.
He invited Ndi Anambra in the diaspora and Nigerians everywhere to come to Anambra State and enjoy the Christmas activities at the village, stating that it would be a remarkable event.
The Chief Protocol Officer/Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Chinedu Okoye Glamour expressed gratitude to everyone and prayed that God would make the event successful.
He encouraged the organizers not to be discouraged if the events start slowly, mentioning that Ndi Anambra in the diaspora return home two or three days before Christmas. “Wait for the peak before New Year and cross-over night.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Descendants Fortune Investment Ltd, Prince Okafor expressed gratitude to Governor Charles Soludo for the opportunity given to them to initiate the Christmas Village which will provide excitement, relaxation, festive markets, and side attractions that would create lasting memories and attract investment to the state.
He stated, “The reason we brought this innovation here is that I am from this state and to create an avenue for the advocacy of “Aku Luo Uno” where the Anambra Business Moguls are requested to consider bringing some of their huge investments back home to create a prosperous and smart mega city.
“We have contributed immensely in building other states and excelling but when you come back to our state or the southeast, you get to wonder about these people who are successful out there, what they have in their place. Therefore, I use this opportunity to call on our people in the diaspora to come home and invest and be part of the developmental change in Anambra.”
The Project Manager of Descendants Fortune Investments Ltd, Mr. Emmanuel Owuala, added that the Christmas village will be a celebration of unity, innovation, and joy which will offer a magical experience for all, with a focus on economic growth, cultural pride, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
* Ogwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State *
