Obi of Onitsha, Ngige felicitate with Anambra Monarch on his Ofala festival

By Julie Sylvia, Onitsha

The Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, weekend at Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area, Anambra State, felicitated with the traditional ruler of the community, HRH, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, on his second Ofala festival.

Fielding questions from newsmen, Igwe Achebe stated that it was a successful Ofala celebration adding that Ofala festival is when we thank God for His blessings in the past years and also prayed Him for better years ahead.

“It is a successful Ofala celebration. Ofala is a festival where we give thanks to God over blessings of the years past and praise God’s creativity to give us brighter future,” he stated.

According to him it is also a period of communication through the ancestors even as he prayed God to give Igwe Mbamalu the wisdom and strength with which to lead his people.

Igwe Achebe who disclosed further that Ofala is part of Igbo culture stated that culture is not just what we eat but also our way of life that include, including dressing, among others, stating that sequel to its importance it becomes difficult for it to go into extinction.

Also in his contribution, the former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Ngige, stated that he came to felicitate with Igwe Mbamalu on his second Ofala festival and also to be conferred with a Chieftaincy title of “Ogbuwaluzo” of Ojoto by the monarch.

“The monarch invited me to come and take the title of “Ogbuwaluzo”, of Ojoto, because of work I did on the roads in Ojoto. The major road into this town through Mmiri John road, I did it, the major road into this town through the Old Oba/Nnewi road I did it. So I am one of the awardees of the Chieftaincy title,” he stated.

Fielding questions from newsmen, the host, Igwe Mbamalu expressed satisfaction with Obi of Onitsha, Senator Ngige and others who despite their tight schedules were physically present to be part of the Ofala celebration.

He disclosed that preparation for the Ofala was a week long activities that that included, road and other projects commissioning, empowerment of widows and down trodden, art exhibition, among others.

He prayed God for a better condition of his people and celebration in future adding that it is his second Ofala festival.