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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