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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Ekwe Award gets senatorial boost

A big boost recently came the way of the organizers of the long awaited All Igbo Music Awards, otherwise known as Ekwe Awards courtesy of Senator Igwe Nwagu (Ebonyi Central).
The senior lawmaker, the organizers revealed has agreed to endow and underwrite the costs of two plaques. They include, Egwu Ekpili and Nkwanwite, categories, respectively.
With this development, the name of Senator Nwagu will be engraved on the awards insignia of the two genres of Igbo music.
 Speaking at the occasion, which took place in his country home in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Senator Nwagu commended the organisers for their “visionary efforts to salvage the fast deteriorating state of Igbo music culture and language.”
While describing musicians as ‘special creatures”, he promised to give every necessary support to the Ugo Stevenson-led Ekwe Awards Organising Committee for the success of the event.    
Ekwe Awards according to Mr. Stevenson, derives its name from the wooden percussive instrument used in all Igbo music styles. “The honours ceremony is intended to celebrate those who have preserved Igbo language and culture through music.”
 Stevenson, a noted highlife musician, is the 2007 AMEN best highlife artiste and 2008 NMA best highlife artiste. The Ekwe Awards is unique also in capturing for recognition and encouragement, the brand of music that is peculiar to each Igbo speaking state.
“Anambra State is home of Ekpili music, while Enugu boasts of the Ogene sound. Bongo and Abigbo are peculiar to Imo, Odumodu is of Abia. Ebonyi has Nkwawite. Our Ikwerre brothers in Rivers State have Uri Obo and the Igbos of Delta are masters of Oyorima.” These unique music styles, hinted Stevenson, find strong expression in Highlife, which he describes as “Igbo contemporary music.”
  Stevenson called on other well-meaning Ndigbo to rally to the cause as demonstrated by Senator Nwagu. 

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