Anambra Unveils ‘Onwa Dezemba’ to Ignite Christmas Tourism Boom

The Anambra State Government, on December 13, officially launched ‘Onwa Dezemba’, a newly branded Christmas and end-of-year fiesta designed to celebrate Igbo heritage, foster community unity, and establish the state as a premier destination for tourism and entertainment in South-East Nigeria.

The State Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, emphasised that for the Igbo people, the holiday season is far more than a religious observance; it is a vital period for homecoming and cultural reflection.

“The yuletide goes beyond Christmas celebration, for Ndigbo generally. It serves as a tourism hub and a time for stocktaking, as well as a pilgrimage destination. Igbo people return from all over the world to join with family and friends at home in auspicious celebrations that last for about two to three weeks on average in and around the communities across Igbo land.” Mefor said.

To accommodate this influx and the celebratory spirit, social norms in the region often shift during the holidays. Mefor noted: “In most Igbo communities, burials are typically banned from mid-December to make way for joyous Christmas celebrations and resume in the first week of the New Year.

While the cultural significance of the month, known locally as Onwa Dezemba, is age-old, the current administration is taking a novel approach. Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo aims to institutionalise and elevate these festivities into a state-wide brand.

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“What is new is that Solution Governor Chukwuma Soludo wants it fully branded, unified, and celebrated annually in Anambra State, possibly on a grander scale than Detty December in Lagos and the Calabar Carnival,” Mefor explained.

He described the project as a bold move intended to transform the state into a massive gathering point for Ndi Anambra, both from within Nigeria and the diaspora.

“It promises to be a global gathering. The Diaspora is flocking to Anambra State. Sons and daughters of Anambra State are poised to make the annual Yuletide journey back to their “Call it ‘Onwa Dezemba,’ and the people of Ndi Anambra will bow!” he said.

Mefor clarified that the festival is distinctively family-orientated and culturally grounded, distancing it from less wholesome festivities found elsewhere. He highlighted that this aligns with Governor Soludo’s vision to create “a peaceful and pleasurable homeland that stands tall as a destination choice, rather than a departure lounge.”

To illustrate the philosophy behind the gathering, Mefor referenced Chinua Achebe, the literary icon and son of Anambra. “A man who calls his kinsmen to a feast does not do so to save them from starving. We come together because it is beneficial for kinsmen to do so,” Achebe wrote in Things Fall Apart.

The celebrations officially kicked off on December 10 with a tree-lighting ceremony at Solution Fun City. Mefor announced, “‘Onwa Dezemba’, arguably Africa’s grandest communal party, has officially commenced and will continue in full swing until January 2026,” he said.

The inaugural 2025 edition will feature a robust lineup of nine significant events spreading across Awka, Ekwulobia, Onitsha, and surrounding towns.

“Key highlights include the Solution FunCity Christmas Cantata, the Masquerade Festival at Ezechima Primary School in Onitsha, the Christmas Day Children’s Carnival at Solution FunCity, and the Masquerade Festival at Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka,” Mefor detailed, noting that festivities will also extend to the Township Stadium in Ekwulobia.

The schedule also includes the ‘LOL (Laugh Out Loud) Anambra’ comedy event, a ‘Walk-for-Life’, and an all-white party.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is ‘Onwa Dezemba’? 

Onwa Dezemba is a newly branded Christmas and end-of-year festival initiative by the Anambra State Government. It aims to unify the traditional holiday homecoming into a state-wide celebration of Igbo culture, tourism, and entertainment.

Who is organising the festival? 

The festival is organised by the Anambra State Government, under the leadership of Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

How does Onwa Dezemba compare to other Nigerian festivals? 

The state government aims to make it grander than Lagos’s “Detty December” and the Calabar Carnival, focusing specifically on Igbo heritage, family bonding, and diaspora homecoming.

When does the festival take place? 

The festivities officially began on December 10 with a tree-lighting ceremony and are scheduled to continue through January 2026.

What are some of the key events planned? 

The inaugural lineup includes:

• Solution: FunCity Christmas Cantata.
• Masquerade festivals in Onitsha (Ezechima Primary School), Awka (Alex Ekwueme Square), and Ekwulobia.
• Christmas Day Children’s Carnival.
• LOL (Laugh Out Loud), Anambra.
• Walk-for-Life and an all-white party.

Why are burials banned in some communities during this time? 

As Commissioner Law Mefor noted, many Igbo communities ban burials from mid-December to the first week of the New Year to allow for uninterrupted, joyous festivities and family reunions.