AGULERI MUSICAL FESTIVAL 2023 WINNERS LIST: GODWIN NWAKALOR, OBI FOREIGN, EKWEGBELI CHUKWUEMEKA TAKE TOP PRIZES.
Aguleri traditional music star, PA Goddy Nwakalor, popularly known as Goddy na Achinkwa has made history as the first artiste to win in the maiden edition of the highly competitive and exciting Aguleri traditional musical contest under the hotly- contested Egwu Ekpili category.
The maiden edition of the event held on Saturday, 9th September 2023 at Ugwu na Adegbe primary school Aguleri.
About 77 years old Pa Goddy Nwakalor contended with other Aguleri counterparts including Adinive Okechukwu ( Atonamba), who was adjudged the runner up. Other Egwu Ekpili musical kingpins that thrilled the crowd were Ochedo Kala,Udekwe Onyeaka, Marcel Osili, Udevi Ovoebe, Ojeli Igbo, Ekene Edochie. They also include Ekene Oraekwu, Obiedo Landlord, Udeanyinya Chidozie ( Udeanyinya Susu) and Emmanuel Nwabunwanne (Chakali).
Similarly, the popular Chief Obiora Okonkwo (Obi Foreign) emerged winner of the Folklore Songs (IKWA ABU) music beating Aghaduno Nwabunwanne (Daddy Choki) to the second position.
In the Egwu Ogene category, the duo of Sunday Ezenwa and Chukwujekwu Okonkwo (kpokpodede) of the Iveadigo age grade clinched the first prize ahead of the pair of Ejudu Ekwenze and John Oraekwu.
In the Egwu Igba segment, the Igba Igbo led by Ejike Ekwenze accompanied by the highly entertaining Mmanwu Ogbaegwu beat the Igba Akwunechenyi Umuala Eziagulu led by Obi Monulu to the second position.
It was equally a tough contest in the Highlife/Hi-Pop as an array of about ten local pop artistes and musicians were on parade before Maxwell Ekwegbelu Chukwuemeke popularly known as Onwa Biafra was eventually adjudged the winner, leaving Peter Udoji Egwuatu (50 Cents) to trail in the second position. Other highlife and hi-pop stars on stage were Chinonso Paul Afiocha (Agada), Chukudi Akorah (Agbono), Chukwudi Ikem (Apiti), Chinedu Ozor, Egbunike Ejike (Ikolo), Paschal Chinedu Chigbata (Skido) and Nnaemeka Joseph Chibuike (Mpete).
The musical activity-packed event sponsored and promoted majorly by Prof Charles Ochie and Dr John Nwofia was chaired by Dr Fidelis Ndigwe a renowned theatre arts academic and head of department of Theatre Arts, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State. Chief Uju Edochie (Ada Eri) led two other non-Aguleri top Nollywood stars to serve as the panel of judges at the colourful event. The Black max LTD, also served the audience with their Black max bitter products.
The special guest of honour and Anambra State Commissioner for Culture Tourism and Entertainment Comrade Don Onyenji and his Power and Water Resources counterpart and Aguleri-born Engr Julius Chukwuemeka graced the occasion in grand style. He made special request for the Goddy na Achinkwa track, which he later gave the artiste ( Goddy ) N50,000 personal cash. Also, in their presence was Comrade Onyenji who extolled the initiative of the Aguleri Musical Festival and expressed the support of the Anambra State government to the event. The musical fiesta which started a little after noon lasted until the wee hours of the evening and was loaded with very thrilling and exciting musical performances to the enjoyment of the audience from Aguleri and beyond.
Significantly, the Aguleri Musical fiesta has succeeded in bringing together all the Aguleri-born musicians and musical artistes together under one body now known as Aguleri Musical Group.