Anambra State has been selected to host a maiden Armed Forces and Paramilitary International Band Festival (AFOPIBAF), National festival.The festival has been scheduled to take place sometime in October.The organiser of the festival is the African Caribbean Network Foundation (ACNF).The festival with the theme: “Togetherness’’ will feature events such as serenades, band contests, street parades and a day-seminar.
While receiving the organisers in his office at Awka, Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism, Dr Christian Madubuko commended them for choosing Anambra as venue for the festival.Anambra is the safest state in Nigeria and Gov. Obiano is friends with all the military and paramilitary forces in the state.
The Police Games that were hosted in the state was a major breakthrough for the state,’’ he said.The President of ACNF, Mr Justin Duru, praised the commissioner for the warm reception accorded them.He congratulated Madubuko on his re-assignment as the commissioner for Tourism, and praised his pragmatism and professionalism.Mr Duru enumerated the places where events would take place during the festival, and personalities that would attend.This festival will have all the past living Chief of Army Staff, Naval, Air Force, Inspector-General of Police, and all Controllers’ General of Paramilitary forces in attendance.
Also Awka, Onitsha, Ekwulobia, Nnewi and Ihiala have been mapped out to have tents for the programme,” he said.He noted that the festival could have taken place long before now but COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown affected it.The bands scheduled to perform at the festival are the Army Band, Police, Road Safety, and Boys Brigade, Air Force, Customs, Fire Service, and Girls Guides.
