UKWULU MONARCH CELEBRATES OFALA FESTIVAL, PLEDGES GIFT OF VEHICLES TO NEWLY ORDAINED CATHOLIC PRIESTS

Awka:By Obiorah Anthony Ugwonwa

The Traditional Ruler of Ukwulu Ancient Kingdom in Dunukofia Local Government Area,His Royal Majesty, Igwe Peter Uyanwa,has celebrated his 2023 Ofala Festival in a grand style with a firm promise to purchased three brand new utility vehicles to the three newly ordained Catholic Priests in the Community.

The renowned Traditional Ruler,Igwe Peter Uyanwa,who made the pledge during the interdenominational holy mass held his honour in his palace in Ukwulu Community as part of activities to mark his 2023 Ofala Festival in the Community,gave the names of the benefiting Priests to include, Reverend Father Emmanuel Okafor, Father Peter Okonkwo and Deacon Patrick Onukwusi.

According to Igwe Uyawnwa,two of the new Priests would receive their vehicles very soon while the third priest should receive his own gift on November this year considering the rising cost of things in the Country nowadays,adding that it pains him greatly when he saw the old women in the Community struggling to make contributions from their meager and scarce hard earned money with a view to buying utility cars to newly ordained priests in the Community, hence the gesture.

In a homily ,the Parish Priest in charge of Saint Aloysius Catholic Church Ukwulu,Reverend Father Nicholas Okereocha,said that the people of the Community have every cause to celebrate God and put Him first in everything they do for blessing them with fertile land and the gift of Igwe Uyanwa as their Traditional Ruler .

In his remark while blessing Igwe Uyanwa and his family members and the entire people of the Community,the Priest in charge of Saint Theresa’s Catholic Church, Ukwulu,Reverend Father, Francis Anene,who conducted the holy mass, thanked Igwe Uyanwa for his unflinching gesture in the Church, Ukwulu Community and in the God’s vineyard and prayed God to prosper him the more as he continued to labour in His vineyard for the good of humanity.

For him,the Traditional Ruler of Ojoto Community in Idemili South Local Government Area, Igwe Jerald Mbamalu ,who was physically present in the celebration of the holy mass, pledged two hundred thousand naira support to the newly ordained Catholic Priests in the Community, pointing out that time has come for the Traditional Rulers to give out to their subjects and not only to remain on receiving end from the people at all times.

The Wife of Igwe Uyanwa, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth Uyanwa, (Ezenwanyi Ukwulu Kingdom),was among the dignitaries that attended the interdenominational holy mass which featured special prayer for the people of Ukwulu Community ,Ndi-Anambra and Nigerians at Large.

Declaring the Ofala Festival open soon after the celebration of the interdenominational holy mass amidst his Royal Cabinet Members,Ndi-Ichie Ukwulu, Village Chairmen and the awardess among others, the revered Monarch,Igwe Peter Uyanwa, called on the Traditional Rulers in the State and Ndi- Anambra at large to lend their unwavering supports to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo led administration in the State to enable him achieve his well articulated aims for the State.

He commended Governor Soludo and his Wife Dr.Nonye for their free medical and healthy leaving policies for Ndi – Anambra,especially the pregnant mothers in the State,describing such altruistic gesture of the Governor and his wife Nonye as very wonderful.

He equally commended the level of achievements recorded so far by Governor Soludo on the gully erosion site which has been threatening the people of Ukpo Community over the years, praying for further development of the State under Governor Soludo’s leadership in the State in the various facets of the State economy.

While praying for the well being of all Traditional Rulers in the State and their respective Communities,Igwe Uyanwa, warned the bad elements in the Communities across the State who were bent towards fomenting trouble with a view to unseating their Traditional Ruler from the throne to rethink and join forces geared towards holistic development of their individual Community for overall interest of the State.

Igwe Uyanwa, a one time Chairman, Traditional Rulers Council ,Anambra Central Senatorial district, described Prince Engineer Arthur Eze as one of the for most outstanding illustrious sons of Anambra State and Nigerian as well whose love for his home Country and Nigeria knows no bound and prayed God to continue to strengthen him as he work towards bettering the lives of all around him both in the State and elsewhere.

From him,, a former Vice -Chancellor,Chukwuemeka Odumegwe Ojukwu University, Igbariam , an illustrious son of the Community , Professor Fidelis Okafor,described the Igwe Uyanwa’s unseasoned gesture to people of the Community ranging from the time he was the President General of the Community as marvelous and unequal,stressing that his heart of given has no boundary.

In their different speeches while felicitating with Igwe , the Chairman Traditional Rulers Council , Anambra State and the Traditional Ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Achebe,the Traditional Ruler of Omor Community in Ayamelum Local Government ,Igwe Oranu Chidiume and Igwe Barrister Emeka Onuora of Oraukwu Community,underscored the important of Ofala Festival in enthroning a lasting peace ,unity and progress among the people and the Communities in Igboland, praying God to bless him with good health and wisdom as his throne reign forever.

Also,the Anambra State Commissioner for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Barrister Anthony Ifeanya and the Executive Director, Anambra State Internally Generated Revenue( IGR),Dr.Christian Madubuko,who led the people of Anaku Community to felicitate with Igwe Uyanwa,maintained that the essence of their visit was to appreciate the Traditional Ruler for leading the peace process between them and the people of Omor Community who were recently engulfed by a bloody communal crisis and as well to tell him that permanent peace has finally returned in the area.

The President General of Ukwulu Town Union,Chief Ayiofu Christopher Uba, who was during the event inducted into the Ichie Title of the Community and a former Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Internally Generated Revenue, Chief Lawrence Anikpe,defined the event as remarkable and advised the people to rally round their Traditional Ruler,Igwe Uyanwa in his strides towards taking their Community to highest level by availing him all necessary information.

The event was attended by who is who in Anambra State,including the Deputy Governor of the State, Dr.Onyekachukwu Ibezim,Deputy Speaker,Anambra State House of Assembly, Honourable, Chukwuma Okoye,APGA National Chairman, Barr.Okenwa,Anambra State Commissioner of Police,Mr.Aderemi Adoyeye,Chief Protocol Officer to Governor Soludo and Deputy Chief of Staff,Anambra State Governor House,Mr.Chinedu Nwoye among others .

Special outing by Igwe Uyanwa on a complete Ofala regalia amidst the cheering mammoth crowd that graced the event , paying of homage to the Igwe by people of the Community, their friends and well wishers who come from far and near ,special performance by Izaga,Ijele and Enyi masquerades from Anaku Community as well as various cultural displays by invited troops added glamour to the event.