Soronnadi Justice Promotes Cultural Revival in Owerri Municipal …Gives out Traditional Musical Instruments to Five Communities

A renewed effort to preserve the cultural heritage of Owerri Municipal received a boost as the Leader of the Owerri Municipal Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Sir Soronnadi Justice Chijioke, presented traditional musical instruments to women across the five indigenous communities of the municipality.

The beneficiary communities are Ndom Udodiri Umuororonjo, Amawom, Umuoyeche, Umuihua Umuodu and Umuoyima, which participated in the 2026 Women August Meeting held at the premises of Owerri Municipal Council on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Speaking at the event, Soronnadi Justice said the initiative was aimed at reviving cultural practices that are gradually disappearing, particularly traditional music, dances and communal celebrations involving women.

He stressed that the restoration of Owerri’s cultural identity should be a collective responsibility, noting that modern development should not come at the expense of the people’s history, traditions and values.

“Let our women dance again. Let our children see, learn and appreciate the culture of their forefathers. We must not allow modernisation to erase our identity,” he said.

The Council Leader explained that the presentation of the instruments went beyond providing materials for music and dance, describing it as an investment in cultural preservation, community unity and the transmission of indigenous heritage from one generation to another.

He noted that traditional music and dance had historically provided avenues through which Owerri communities celebrated important occasions, strengthened social bonds and passed cultural values to younger generations.

According to him, the five communities have a rich cultural history worthy of preservation, adding that renewed cultural activities would provide opportunities for younger residents to learn and appreciate the traditions of their forefathers.

Soronnadi Justice called on political leaders, traditional institutions, community leaders, philanthropists and other well meaning sons and daughters of Owerri Municipal to support initiatives aimed at restoring and preserving the cultural heritage of the people.

“Our culture is our identity. If we lose our culture, we lose an important part of who we are. This is why we must deliberately preserve what our forefathers handed down to us,” he added.

The Council Leader further maintained that government and community leadership should not focus solely on physical infrastructure and economic development, but should also give attention to the cultural and social identity of the people.

The women, who received the gesture with enthusiasm, commended the Council Leader for what they described as a practical demonstration of leadership and commitment to the preservation of Owerri’s heritage.