Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra was on Oct. 11 agog with many
cultural activities as its traditional ruler, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred
Achebe celebrated his 18th Ofala Festival.
The festival was preceded on Oct. 5, with Onitsha City Marathon and on
Oct. 9, an Art Exhibition began; on Oct. 10 a youth carnival took the
centre stage.
The carnival depicted the different cultural heritage of the community
as well as those of settler communities with the town.
The event was also used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the
community.
Speaking during the ceremony, Igwe Achebe who noted that the annual
event was aimed at appreciating God for his protection throughout the
year.
He prayed for peace, unity and progress of Onitsha in particular and the
nation at large.
Igwe Achebe commended Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra for all his
people-oriented programmes and policies, especially his effective
security, educational and agric development initiative had yielded
positive dividends to the people of the ancient kingdom.
In an interview, Onowu Onitsha, Chief Joseph Okey Ononye, said Ndi Ichie
were solidly in support of the event and prayed God to grant Igwe Achebe
more wisdom to lead his people.
He described Igwe Achebe as a Man with heart of Gold and enjoined called
Ndi Onitsha to remain committed and supportive to the throne in the
interest of the Ndi Onitsha.
According to Ajie Ukadiugwu, Chief Peter Osita Adibuah, a retired
commissioner of police, Onitsha Ofala was one of the highest festivals
in Igboland.
He urged Ndi Igbo not to allow their rich cultural heritage to wane.
President-General of Onitsha, Sir Chike Ekweogwu, said Ofala was a
yearly activity and an opportunity that people used to pay homage to
their Igwe by thanking him for his good works.
He prayed God to grant all their invited guests journey mercies to and
fro.
President, Agbalanze, Nnabuenyi Uchenna Mbanefo, enjoined the people of
the community to be law-abiding, in addition to respecting constituted
authority.
He thanked God for success of the event, urging members of the community
to become apostles of peace and love.
Member representing Pension Transition Arrangement Directorate (PTAD),
Abuja, Mrs Olive Onono said they were in Onitsha to set up Complaint
Desk, because of there were many pensioners from Onitsha community.
“Our coming will also help pensioners who missed the nationwide
verification to come for theirs,’’ she emphasised.
She noted that in all communities in Igboland, I think Onitsha has more
of pensioners than those of other communities; that is the reason for
always coming to the Ofala.
Onitsha North Health Educator, Mrs Ogochukwu Mmaduabu said that Ofala
gives them opportunity to come and sensitise and mobilise people on
family planning.
Dignitaries at the occasion are Anambra State Deputy Governor Dr Nkem
Okeke, minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, who
represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Information Lai
Mohammed, Minister of State, Environment, Ms Sharon Ikeazor, and
traditional rulers from different communities in Anambra and beyond.