By the Editor, Umuahia

1. The ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL will take place at the Trade More Event Center (Okpara Square) in Umuahia, Abia State, attracting over 20 thousand people during the 7-day event.
2. Within the Abia Christmas Village, a VIP Lounge managed exclusively by Lincoln Lounge will cater to the “High & Mighty,” providing tailored services to suit their tastes.
3. The festival will feature a traditional wrestling arena with multiple competitions. The ultimate winner will receive a cash prize of N200,000 sponsored by Amb. Dr. Osita Offor, ‘Ultimate Commander,’ the world wrestling champion of champions. The runner-up will take home N100,000, sponsored by the Honorable Commissioner for Sports, Honorable Nwaobilor Nwadimma Ananaba.
4. A dedicated children’s arena will ensure kids have a delightful time.
5. The Santa Claus hut in the Abia Christmas Village will allow children to interact with Santa and receive gifts.
6. For sports enthusiasts, there will be a sports arena featuring indoor games like Table Tennis, Snooker Board, Datt Game, and various local games.
7. On the evening of December 25, 2023, a carol competition among 10 choir groups will unfold, with the winner receiving a prize sponsored by Onyekwere Akym Uche.
8. High-profile highlife acts such as Obewe and Koboko will grace the stage during the 7-day extravaganza.
9. The Abia Christmas Village Festival platform will showcase upcoming music stars, comedians, and more.
10. The event will host the first-ever Abia Merit Award (AMA) ceremony, with nominees selected under different categories through nominations by Abians and Nigerians.
11. A social media hangout during the 7-day event will serve as a networking platform for social media influencers in Abia State and Nigeria.
12. Traditional and cultural displays will be a consistent feature in the Abia Christmas Village.
13. Attendees can explore a market within the village, offering a range of products for purchase while enjoying the festivities, among many other attractions.”

Stephanie Clement, Umuahia

Prominent private security organization in Abia State PEM SECURITY, has endorsed the ABIA CHRITSMAS VILLAGE PROJECT and has promised to provide all the private security officers needed for the project to be successful.

While speaking during the strategy meeting with the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL project team, the Chief Executive Officer of PEM SECURITY Emeka Esomonu, assured the project delegation that PEM SECURITY is a progressive organization that is always ready to partner with and promote projects that will add value to Abia State.

Contributing during the conversation, the Project Coordinator ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL, Emenike Jason Iroegbu, described PEM SECURITY as the biggest private security outfit in Abia State and appreciated them for the partnership and support towards the success of the 7 days event. Iroegbu revealed that the success of the event will drive growth in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality sectors of the state. “The success of the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL project will bring about growth in so many sectors in Abia State. The hospitality sector will grow because investors will invest in developing more hospitality infrastructures due to the increase in guests and tourists to the state, entertainers will be exposed more and even private security outfits like PEM SECURITY will not be left out”

The Director of Operations of the ABIA CHRISTMAS VILLAGE FESTIVAL Peterson Agu, promised that Abia and residents will witness the most exciting Christmas ever in the state. He revealed that the week-long event (25th to 31st December 2023), is billed to be entertaining, interesting, breathtaking and fulfilling for families.

“The event will cover cultural display, unveil great talents from Abia State, showcasing our traditional delicacies, host social media interactions and many more contents” he concluded. PEM SECURITY also promised to provide more publicity for the event.

Stephanie Clement, Umuahia

The shortlisting of the awardees for the 2023 edition of the Abia Merits awards has ended. According the chairman of the organizing committee, Comrade Ugochukwu Nwankwo, out of the 166 nominations, 41 Abia citizens were shortlisted for the various categories of the Award.

The committee also thanked the citizens for fully participating in the nomination process and congratulated the nominees who he said will be formally communicated soon.

Below are the Shortlisted Nominees:

OIL GAS

Barr Mrs Ngozi Ekeoma (Nepal Oil And Gas)Prince Odinaka Igwe (Mainland Oil And Gas)Chief Anthony Enukeme (Tonimas Oil And Gas)

EDUCATION:

Danijoy Int’l schools,

Wellspring Schools

Greg University Uturu

TECH

Nnamdi Ezeigbo (Slot)

Ndubuisi Ekekwe (Apple)

INDUSTRY

Uche Ogah (Masters Energy)

Prince Emeka Urechukwu (Saclux)

Mazi Clement Owunna MFR (Starline)

Sir Enyinnaya Nwafor (Tunnel End & Gifted Hands)

Wisdom Chidiebere Nwaubani(Wizy-Star Nig Ltd)

AGRICULTURE

Sir Abraham Godson (Pilgrim Ranch Ltd)

Chief Ibe Boko( Boko farms)

HUMANITARIAN

Amb Sir Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu Foundation)

Nnamdi Kenneth Okeagu (Connak Foundation)

Kelvin Jombo Onumah(Igurube)

Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso

James Ume (Unu Biko Foundation)

Ezenwa Igwe Foundations

Chief Nkem Ogenna (Donors Impact)

Chief Mrs Chika Ukandu Okpi

Chief Enyinnaya Duke Ako Atulomah (Enyioma Foundation INT’L).

Amb Rev Dr. Annie Onu

Chris Akachukwu Nwabia

SPORTS

Samuel Chukwueze

Amb Sir Dr. Osita Offor

Uchenna Kanu

ENTERTAINMENT

Tipsy Bar & LoungeLuxury city Aba

HOSPITALITY

Rixox Resort , Unique Life Hotels, Panyu Hotels Aba,

CREATIVE INDUSTRY AWARD

Pascal Atuma Labista (Emmanuel Ehumadu) Uzodinma Okpechi

J Martins, Niga Raw, Ruffcoin Nwaaba, Andy Shurman, Alex Ekubo , Basket Mouth (Bright Okpocha), Bright Chimezie, Ugoccie

LEADERSHIP

Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu

Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha

Hon. Ginger Onwusibe

Hon Alex Ikwechegh

Hon. Ugochukwu Collins Iheonunekwu

Pastor Jerry Eze