A "cage" in a square?

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A ‘cage’ in a square?

By Onyema Harbor
AMAIKPE, a strategically located square in Obinkita village, Arochukwu, which Mazi Ohiaerinwa Ogbonnaya Okoro aptly describes as Historic Aro Square, stands out as Arochukwu’s most outstanding and significant assembly ground. It is in a class of its own. It houses the historic Nkume Amaikpe.
Located along the busy Amuvi, Arochukwu-Ohafia federal highway and opposite Arochukwu main Motor Park, Amaikpe plays host to very many important events in the ancient town. Its status range from been served as the apex judicial court of Arochukwu, to hosting the regular annual Ikeji, the new yam festival of Arochukwu people, to providing reception ground for many social and political events, including reception for eminent and distinguished local and national personalities, etc
Until recently Arochukwu women, under the auspices of Nzuko Arochukwu (Women Wing) constructed Skill Acquisition Centre near Arochukwu Central Market, Amaikpe hosted the women’s annual general assembly (Mass Rally). Besides, Amaikpe was the seat of Avia Nkwo (Nkwo Market) before it was relocated to Arochukwu Central Market. As at date, Amaikpe still enjoys regular sessions of daily evening market, even on Sundays.
The status and roles of Amaikpe, the historic and significant square, have changed with passage of time as circumstances dictated. Whatever the circumstances, however, it may be remote for its status, as arena for Eke-Ekpe, the peak of Ikeji Aro Okeigbo, the event in which the nineteen villages that make up Arochukwu Kingdom congregate to celebrate new yam in one accord, will also change. Though Amaikpe has the challenge of space made worse by land encroachment, yet it still serves its purpose and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future hence it continues to affect attention.
Amaikpe Square can rightly be described as an arena, amphitheater or mini-stadium, difference being that there no permanent tiers surrounding the central area, a situation which canopies standing over chairs in any event represent. The ‘Shagari House’ also serves as the State Box in Amaikpe Square.
As an arena of sort, Amaipke is designed to show-case theatre, cultural performance or other events that may occur. And the key feature is that the event space is such that will allow for maximum visibility. It is against this background that attention is focused on the refurbished ‘Shagari House’ being executed by the Transition Committee of Arochukwu local government led by Mr. Okafor Okoroaffia.
Before I proceed, let me foremost register my profound admiration for our friend, Mr. Okoroaffia, for the way he is running the affairs of Arochukwu LGA. One of his first tasks on assumption of duty in August was to tackle the issue of electricity in Arochukwu LGA. Though much effort had been put in my various interests to restore power to the LGA before his appointment, his concern over the issue immediately on assumption calls for commendation. And coming in immediately after the 2011 Ikeji celebration to improve on the facilities at Amaikpe, apparently in response to security challenges, also demands praise. Okoroaffia’s is the kind of leadership we need in our time, leadership that is responsive; that can initiate projects for the benefit of the people.
Be that as it may, and not withstanding the magnificence of the structure under discussion, it seems to me a cage. A cage according to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia dictionary is a “structure made of mesh, bars or wires used to confine, contain or protect something”. The re-furbished ‘Shagari House’ definitely fits this definition.
Amaikpe square has continued to enjoy transformation, from the building of the famous ‘Shagari House’ to the building of the podium by Arochukwu Youths Association, AYA, and now transformed ‘Shagari House’ to accommodate distinguished personalities to events that take place there.
But is the ‘cage’ the type of transformation Amaikpe deserves? One, lack of space poses a great problem at the square, and this is made worse by the space the ‘cage’ has taken.
The ‘House’ has defeated the essence of a podium as it almost shares a common wall with the podium. With the present position there is no way people seated inside of the ‘cage’ will see and appreciate whoever is standing on the podium and addressing the audience at the square.
Again, recall that Amaikpe had experienced and recorded stampedes during Ikeji festivals which led to scampering for dear lives. Should such incidents re-occur (we pray they don’t), the fate of personalities inside the enclosure can only be imagined.
The space the ‘cage’ occupies could as well been utilized to provide concrete tiers of seats at the same time provide befitting sitting region for dignitaries to accommodate a good number of spectators much more that the re-furbished ‘Shagari House’ is designed to accommodate.
Ikeji Aro-Okeigbo, we continue to emphasize, is a public event, marriage ceremonies and their like are also public events. So if Amaikpe’s key feature is to allow for maximum visibility of events that hold there, then the ‘cage’ makes nonsense of what a square represents
However, the project is not a waste after all. It could serve other purposes maximally but for the purpose of public events such as our Ikeji, no matter how well intentioned by its initiators, I think they missed the point.