Government Explores Strategic Partnership On Igbo Reconnection

Barbados and other territories throughout the Eastern Caribbean stand to benefit significantly from a strategic partnership with the Igbo World Assembly that would see the start of an Igbo-Atlantic reconnection with Africa.

The first steps to realising this alliance will be a ten-day visit to the region by Regent of the Abagana Kingdom, Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze, of the Igbo tribe from Nigeria and his team. The delegation will visit Barbados from today, Wednesday, March 18, to Friday, March 20.

This visit is facilitated via a collaboration between the Pan African Coalition of Organisations, which is headed by Reverend Onkphra Wells and the Ministry of Pan African Affairs and Heritage.

The Regent, Dr. Anakwenze, founder of the Igbo World Assembly and a medical doctor based in the United States, his delegation and Barbadian officials will participate in several activities on Thursday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

These include a guided tour to historical sites such as the Newton Slave Burial Ground; the former residence of King Ja Ja, when he was held in exile by the British Colonial authorities, at Walmer Lodge, St. Michael; the site of the plaque in tribute to Olaudah Equiano – an Igbo Abolitionist on the Wickham Lewis Boardwalk, Wharf Road; and the Monument to the Family, in Heroes Square.

Later in the day, Dr. Anakwenze will participate in a panel discussion on Igbo Retentions in Barbadian Culture with Barbadian researchers, Dr. Marcia Burrowes, Lecturer in Cultural Studies at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, and Dr. Deryck Murray, Director of the Centre for Hybrid Studies. It will be held at Queen’s Park House, Constitution Road, St. Michael, starting at 6:30 p.m.

On the final day of the visit, March 20, Dr. Anakwenze will visit the ruins of the former slave hospital at Grantley Adams Memorial School, Blackmans, St. Joseph, and address the students during assembly, at 9:00 a.m. 

This will be followed by a visit to the University of the West Indies and meetings with representatives of the Division of Pan African Affairs and Heritage and the Division of Youth and Culture.             

Dr. Anakwenze will leave the island on Saturday, March 21.  (PR/GIS)