200 masquerades to grace Igbo Ukwu new yam festival

The Idu II of Igbo Ukwu, Igwe Dr. Martin Ezeh revealed this when he visited the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC)  on  Thursday  Abuja. Addressing the Director General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe in his office, the monarch noted that a special talent hunt was also planned to feature as part of several activities lined […]

The Idu II of Igbo Ukwu, Igwe Dr. Martin Ezeh revealed this when he visited the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation  (NTDC)  on  Thursday  Abuja.

Addressing the Director General of NTDC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe in his office, the monarch noted that a special talent hunt was also planned to feature as part of several activities lined up to celebrate this year’s National New Yam Festival, Iwa Ji Ndi Igbo 2012 which is expected to climax on the 25th of August.

He also commended the NTDC initiative of bequeathing to Igbo Ukwu a National Yam House.

The entourage solicited the continuous support and promotion of the NTDC towards the event especially as it concludes preparations to make the 2012 edition a grand success.

Responding, Otunba Runsewe pledged his support for the event noting that it had attained an international status while maintaining that the Idu, “has declared a revolution by making provision to parade 200 masquerades in the forthcoming National New Yam Festival.”

To further consolidate on the gains of the Yam House as a veritable tourism destination, the NTDC is also considering the establishment of a museum in the site as demanded for by Nigerians especially those resident in the East.

The NTDC boss agreed that the clamour was apt and called for observing that the establishment of a museum should be done with the input of the National Council for Museum and Monuments, a body charged with this responsibility.

As customary, Otunba Runsewe presented NTDC-branded souvenirs to all members of the Igwe’s delegation while the latter presented a cross and a key to his host saying he should use the key to symbolically open the remaining tourism sites in Nigeria.