By Ovat Abeng
Nawfia Community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, on Thursday, celebrates her first historic Ofala/Igu Aro Festival on 4th January 2024 and used the opportunity to honor over forty philanthropists with chieftaincy titles in appreciation of their contributions to the development of Nawfia and promotion of Igbo culture.
Speaking to Journalists at his palace shortly after the event, the Traditional ruler of Nawfia community, HRH Igwe Ogochukwu Daniel Obelle, said the honour was to appreciate what the philanthropists have been doing to alleviate the suffering of the poor and the downtrodden in the community.
He said the distinguished philanthropists cut across all sectors of human endeavors who have in various ways contributed to the social-economic wellbeing of the vulnerable people around them, particularly, in the areas of women/youth empowerment, free education, health and security.
According to Igwe Obelle, “we are doing this to motivate and inspire them to do more for the sake of God Almighty and humanity”.
“This is the first event first of it kind since my ascension to the royal throne of Nawfia in March 2019”.
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According to the royal father, the Igu Aro/Ofala Festival is an epoch making event in Nawfia community. It is a very historic occasion.
“Over forty illustrious sons of Anambra State including governor Soludo’s Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief of Protocol, Mr. Chinedu Nwoye Glamour and the Chairman of Igbo World Assembly (IWA) (Onowu-Abagana), Dr. Nwachukwu Anakwenze and some others from the ten villages that constitutes Nawfia community received the chieftaincy titles and were elevated to High Chiefs for their various contributions to the growth and development of the community, Anambra and the country as a whole.
“Those who were not honoured this year, were given certificate of recommendation.”
The Monarch said the event also provided them with the opportunity to celebrate their unity and love, display their rich cultural heritage in all its splendor, pomp and pageantry and also serves as an opportunity for the monarch stool to address its subjects.
“The Ofala festival is an annual ceremony that celebrates the rich culture of the Nawfia people in the south eastern part of Nigeria.
“For the past thirty years, this is the first Ofala Festival we are joyfully celebrating in this community.
Igwe Obelle expressed gratitude to Governor Chukwuma Soludo for ensuring a conducive environment before, during and after the event and for the ongoing construction of roads across the 179 communities in the state.
On their separate interview, Chief Kenneth Obelle and Dr. Godwin Chukwumeka Okeke says since inception as traditional ruler, Igwe Obelle, has brought total transformation, modernize their culture and place high premium in helping the needy and down trodden as well as ensuring peace in the community.
Contributing on achievements of Igwe Obelle, the due described the Monarch as also a philanthropist per excellent and called on Nawfia people to support him for total transformation of the community, praying God for his successful reign.
On his part, the President General of the community, Chief Daniel Okoye Okongwu, said the Ofala was to show appreciation to God for what he has done in the lives of Nawfia people and display their rich culture and tradition to the world, calling on Ndi- Nawfia to rally round their traditional ruler who since assumption of office, has used his wealth of knowledge and resources to reposition the community thereby paving way for peace, progress and development being witnessed in the community today.
It was gathered that during the festival celebration, Igwe Obelle in company of his wife, Ndi Ichie and Chiefs dressed in royal robes danced round the Ofala arena to the admiration of the guests.
Breaking of kolanuts rituals followed as the Monarch prayed God to bless the land of Nawfia abundantly, give them long life, good health and prosperity.
The event which took place at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church Field Nawfia, was also attended by the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Mrs Chiamaka Nnake, an indigene of Nawfia, delegates from the State Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Matters as well as Hon. Chinedu Nwoye Glamour, the deputy of Staff/ chief of protocol (another indigene of Nawfia) to governor, Chukwuma Soludo, Traditional rulers of Awkuzu, Igwe Prof. Charles Anikwenze, the Traditional ruler of Ifitedunu community, Igwe Dr.Emeka Ilounu, Traditional ruler of Umueri town, Igwe Ben Emeka( Okebo II), the Traditional ruler of Nise Town, Igwe Romanus Iloh, Igwe of Umuchukwu, The Igwe of Umuomaku Igwe Livinus Ezenwa, traditional ruler of Abacha Community, Igwe Godwin Odiegwu, Igwe Raymond Omoja of Owelle town, Igwe of Ukwala Adodo, Igwe Joel Egwuonwu of Umuawulu Community, Igwe of Olumbanasa, Pius Omachonu, secretary of Anambra State traditional rulers council among others.