Following the recent agitation by some mainstream artistes in the contemporary genre of hip-hop, R&B, Afro-pop and others like them on their exclusion from the performance list of the 2014 Imo State Carnival by the planning committee of the event, the artistes have made a move to form a strong body that will ensure that such oversights does not reoccur.
In a meeting convened by Maxwell Oziri [Mr 2Tall] at City Chef Restaurant Owerri, the artistes agreed to see the days of having factions as over, calling on everyone to come together as one.
Speaking at the meeting, Obinna Okoro [Acharaman], said Imo State artistes have been on the sideline for close to decade and only a fool will love to dwell in Egypt as a slave, when his land is flowing with milk and honey.
“It will never be easy for us to achieve this, but our zeal and sacrifice will take us there” Acharaman said.
It will be recalled that several associations have been formed by Imo State based artistes since 2005 and so far none of them are in existence.
Dinky Frank [D7] called for neutrality in the association, citing that the pursuit of one-sided agenda had seen the failure of previous associations.
On that note, the group chose an interim leadership comprising of Chinedu Hardy Nwadike [Hardy], President; Opara Ugochukwu [Nani Bars], Secretary and Achogbue Kelvin [Still Bill] as the Public Relations Officer.
The interim executive are charged with seeing that the association stands, and holding an election before three months.
In his acceptance speech, Chinedu Hardy Nwadike thanked the artistes for believing in him and others they have chosen, calling on everyone to hold onto the struggle with the same spirit until unity and respect are restored in the circle of artistes in the state.
The next meeting of the association is billed for Thursday, May 15, 2014 at City Chef Restaurant, by 4:00pm; artistes in hip-hop, R&B, Afro-pop and others similar genres are urged to attend the meeting on time.
Some artistes who missed the meeting have hailed the move by their colleagues, stating that it is a path to history that must be sustained at all cost.
Artistes at the meeting are Emmanuel Onuigbo [CPex], Njoku Oriaku Chijioke D. [Noc D], Izuchukwu Moses O [kozyG], Opara Ugochukwu [Nani Bars of H2O], Amadi Kingsle [Suspense of H2O], Achogbue Kelvin [Still Bill], Emelewe Uche [Toothpick], Opara Goodtims [Gtims], Onwudiwe Regis [LMG] and Okoro Obinna [Acharaman].
Others are Ugochukwu Ejims [Ugems], Chinedu Hardy Nwadike [Hardy] and Maxwell Oziri [Mr 2Tall].
Meanwhile the 2014 Imo Carnival has been postponed indefinitely in solidarity with the abducted Chibok girls. The governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, his wife, schoolchildren and other Imolites rather took to the street on a march with banners and placards.
No date has been fixed for the event. Should the event fail to hold this year, it will be the third consecutive year, Imo Carnival have been fixed and canceled.
