Anambra community: Where Ofala attracts traditional rulers, other personalities

His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert C. Eze, Okofia VI; Eze Ukpo Dunukofia in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State looked quite elegant and majestic in his regalia as he held his gold-coloured long staff of office, danced to a low rhythm of cultural music while leading the procession of the Igwe-in-Council (Ndi Ichie […]

His Royal Highness, Igwe Dr. Robert C. Eze, Okofia VI; Eze Ukpo Dunukofia in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State looked quite elegant and majestic in his regalia as he held his gold-coloured long staff of office, danced to a low rhythm of cultural music while leading the procession of the Igwe-in-Council (Ndi Ichie Ukpo) into the palace, where the 28th Ofala Festival, 2019 of the ancient Ukpo community kicked off at 12:01pm on Saturday, December 21, 2019.

A member of Igwe’s cabinet told Daily Trust on Sunday that it was in that same palace that the first, second, third and fourth kings of the community were crowned. However, “the ancient palace has been replaced with a modern one,” according to him.

“This palace is the cultural heritage of Ukpo community. It has existed for over three decades. The previous Igwes hosted Ofala, the ancient cultural festival of the community. The Ukpo Kingdom or palace can be compared to the Buckingham palace, which does not relocate to another place,”  according to the insider.

The ceremony was attended by many personalities, such as the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye-Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja  the second; Inspector General of Police Mohammed Adamu; oil magnet and philanthropist, Prince Arthur Eze; Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former President Ibrahim Babangida, who sent a representative, as well as Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi. There were several traditional rulers from the northern part of the country, especially from Adamawa and Katsina states, as well as the South-South zone.

Several masquerades and other cultural troupes, as well as the Real Choir from Akwa Ibom State entertained guests during the event.

Adorned in his royal regalia, Igwe Robert Eze danced gracefully to the admiration of guests as he was ushered into the palace.

This was followed by an opening prayer by Ichie Oji. He prayed for the success of the event, among other things.

Later, the presentation and breaking of kolanut was performed by the traditional ruler.

Addressing the audience, Igwe Robert Eze said, “Our Ofala festival include but not limited to  social interaction, merriment, conviviality, thanksgiving and ultimate rejuvenation , all of which lead to better and longer life.”

He explained that, “The Okofia dynasty, on which throne we sit today, is over 200 years. To the glory of God, the Ofala festival has been celebrated annually since the end of the civil war.

“As we celebrate today’s Ofala, we remember our progenitors who occupied the throne before us, such as Eze Odogwu (Okofia 1, the ruthless warrior); Eze Ogilisi (Okofia 11, the master strategist); Ezenwenwe (Okofia 111, the sage); Igwe Michael Anaekwe  Eze (Okofia 1V, the father of modern Ukpo community); Igwe Dr. Walter C. Eze (Okofia V, the Igwe who saw tomorrow). These were our heroes past, whose labours we enjoy today.”

Speaking specifically on “Ukpo, the Land and the People,” the traditional ruler traced the history of the community, recalling that Okofia, the progenitor of Ukpo, with her younger siblings such as Ifite, Nnachi, Dioka and Ukwulu, was a direct descendant of Eri.

He said: “Ukpo land, in which we live, was acquired not by purchase, not by conquest, not as a gift, but by virgin deforestation by our forebears. We are, therefore, the first to settle here. No other group came before us.

“Ukpo people are generally more civil and republican than most of their neighbours. Some of our neighbours, including those we haboured, took this virtuous character as weakness and annexed parts of our territory. They succeeded. Today, our people have woken up.

“The almighty God and the gods of our land have graciously helped us to recover parts of our lost territory. The battle has been quite long and arduous, but we have won.

“It is time to manage peace, which is another arduous task. We extend our hands of fellowship to all our neighbours. Let’s come together and be friends again.”

He thanked God for giving him the opportunity to be on the throne for 28 years. He also paid tribute to some of their distinguished and illustrious sons, such as Prince Arthur Eze, OFR, who he said had continued to contribute immensely to the development of the community. He advised other sons and daughters of Ukpo to emulate the good example of Prince Eze.

Igwe Eze expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu for approving the location of the Police Secondary School in Ukpo and prayed that the school would take off in 2020.

Although the general elections of 2019 have come and gone, he, however, congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for the victory he recorded, and urged him to “fix the economy, power supply, as well as create job opportunities for the teeming job seekers parading the Nigerian streets.”

He also used the occasion to thank Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State for the road and two erosion sites his government is embarking on in Ukpo, and appealed for more government presence in the community.

Igwe Eze also honoured some Nigerians with chieftaincy titles for their contributions to the development of humanity, particularly the Ukpo community.

The president-general of Ukpo Improvement Union (UIU), Chief Vincent, said the Igwe’s throne had remained the most peaceful in the society because of his simple approach to all issues.

IGP Adamu, who later addressed the guests, advised the people to always live in peace because it is only in a peaceful atmosphere that a meaningful development would take place.

“We are very delighted to be here to felicitate with Igwe Robert Eze and the entire Ukpo community on the Ofala festival,” Adamu said, adding that he had looked forward to it, even when he was serving in Benin, the capital of Edo State.

“I wish His Royal Highness and Ukpo people long life and prosperity. I want to congratulate the kingdom for organising the festival,” Adamu said.

In his remark, Prince Arthur Eze re-emphasised the need for a peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, irrespective of ethnic, religious or political inclinations. He noted that no development can take place in a crisis-ridden atmosphere. He said this was the reason he made many friends across the country, including IGP Adamu, former President Ibrahim Babangida, David Umahi and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, governors of Ebonyi and Enugu states respectively, among other notable Nigerians. “If we cannot live in peace; how can we live together?” He asked.

A member of the king’s cabinet, Ichie Mike Odumodu, told Daily Trust on Sunday that the significance of the Ofala festival was to celebrate the Igwe. “Every year, the Igwe will organise the Ofala festival, inviting our friends and well-wishers from all over the world. That is exactly what we are doing today,” he explained.

Speaking with our correspondent, Ichie Odumodu said, “The history of the festival is traced to Igwe Odogwu Eze. He started it and sustained it throughout his reign. It has continued throughout the reigns of subsequent kings of the community. So the Ofala festival has existed for a long time, and it has always been performed here in the palace. That’s the much we know.’’

“The Ofala festival will be passed from this generation to the next one. What we are celebrating today is Igwe Robert Eze, Okofia V1 and our amiable son, Prince Arthur Eze, Ozo-Igbo-Ndu. He is one of the people organising this event with the Igwe.

“Traditional rulers all over Nigeria are always here during the festival. It has always been big, but it is now bigger and better since Prince Eze is involved. It now attracts international personalities,” Ichie Odumodu added.