After a dismal outing by Atani Village in the 2023 Eke Ekpe Aro celebration, the village popularly referred to as Mmawuru bounced back and claimed all trophies at the podium at the 2024 Eke Ekpe Aro celebrations.
The 6th place finish by the village in the 2023 Ikeji did not go down well with many sons and daughters of the village. The uproar and dissatisfaction that followed the poor outing lasted far after Ikeji 2023 with accusing fingers being pointed in many directions.
As tempers calmed, the President General, Barr Kenneth Ogbonna and his team, swung into action immediately by setting up a committee headed by Mazi Ottih Nwaka to take charge of preparations for the 2024, while N’mazi Tochi Okoro Nwagbo was appointed the Projects Coordinator and Technical Director ably assisted by Mazi Sunday Kanu.
The Nwannediuto Age Grade, ably led by Mazi Uche Okoro aka Ike Nwosu was mobilized to interpret a well written and rehearsed script, and the age grade did not disappoint.
On D-day, as the heavens opened and emptied its contents on earth, Atani showcased with its troupe and presentation titled ‘ Atani Mmwawuru, Oji Ikoro Kara Mba” the performance and interpretation of roles assigned each artist left no one in doubt that Atani came fully prepared. The display held the crowd spell bound as they watched in admiration. Most people at at the edge of their seats as they watched the scintillating performance of Nwannediuto Age Grade.
At the end of performances by the various villages, the judges declared Atani as the overall best village, winner of the most innovative/creative group and winner of the newly introduced best organized crowd puller.
Amuvi village emerged first runners up while Ugbo village was adjudged second runner up, Amankwu village finished 4th on the podium, Amoba village 5th and Ugwuavor Village, 6th.
And for their efforts, Atani smiled home with the sum of N100,000; Amuvi, N70,000 and Ugbo N50,000.
Aside the star prize, the village also took home other prizes which included goats and bags of rice.
In addition to the first prize money, Atani also smiled home with the sum of N80,000 for emerging Best Innovative/ Creative Group and another N100,000 for being the Best Organised Crowd Puller
