Igbo Cultural Day: Eze Sunday Ojukwu celebrates 2nd ofala festival, restore peace amongst tribes in Amuwo Odofin.
By Onome Naomi
Glitz and Glamour as Eze Sunday Ojukwu and wife Lolo Rosemary Ojukwu welcomes guests to the 2nd Ofala Festival/ Cultural Fiesta attended by royals and dignitaries from all walks of life on 28th October, 2023 in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
The attendees of the event includes: The chairman of the occasion Chief Charles Okeke (Odenigbo), Hon. George Adegeye Olawande Member House of Representatives Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Mrs Ashara Maureen Chika Vice Chairman Amuwo Odofin LGA, HRM Alayeluwa Oba Lateef Olayinka Ado ( Fabuwa 1, Alado of Ado Kingdom, HRH/Alhaji Sukaiman Rabiu Seriki Arewa Kuje Amuwo Odofin, HRH Savi Gaston Dit Hounnon Amanyon Oba of Benin Republic, Chief Sunday Ossai President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Solomon Aguene chairman Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Dr Sunday Udeh chairman Igbo speaking community Lagos,Eze Lawrence Ezendigbo Alimosho, Eze Chika Nwokedi, Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo ( Chairman Ndi Ezes in Lagos) Eze Jude Arinze Eze Ohazuruchi, Ezendigbo of Isolo( Vice Chairman Ndi Ezes in Lagos), Eze Nicholas Njoku, Ezendigbo Ejigbo(PRO council of Ezes in Lagos), High Chief L.I.K Onyemaechi( Ochaigha MBA) Kingmaker Amuwo Odofin Council of Chiefs, Chief Chikwado Lawrence Ezeunara (Ogbuehi Nwata Nacho Nkeya) Chairman Ohaneze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin, Eze Monday Lawrence Obijiogu JP , HRM Chukwuakalika Madu Ezendigbo Oriade, Chairman/CEO Music Africa Awake Foundation ( MUAFA) , others…
The Ofala celebration under the chairmanship of Chief Charles Okeke commenced with the coronation of new chiefs into the Amuwo Odofin palace. The arrival of Eze Udo and members of his cabinet, the presentation and breaking of kolanuts, cultural displays from Igbo entertainment groups as well as Arewa cultural groups, musical entertainment and so on.
The Ofala festival is a significant event observed in diapora amongst the Igbos to showcase their rich cultural heritage while thanking God for life.
Nze Chibuzor, the director of culture in Eze Ojukwu’s palace threw more light on the essence of Ofala festival, told Naomi Sophy that the Ofala is celebrated to promote the cultural heritage of the Igbo customs and norms. Says it is paramount that an average Igbo man feels at home wherever he resides, the reason he portrays his cultural practices wherever he nestles, just as seen in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. It is of importance that the children born and bred in lagos knows their roots through planned events such as the ofala to further enlighten them on traditions.
Chibuzo further said:
” The igbo culture is not self centered, we extend a hand of respect to other culture. For reference, the king of Cotonou is here at this event, the Oba of Abule-ado is also present as well as the Seriki from the Hausa Arewa tribe. Therefore our main aim is to foster peace and unity amongst tribes.
Speaking with HRH Amanyo Savi Gaston Oba of Benin Republic, he affirmed his love for the igbos. Says he registered presence at the ofala to celebrate with Eze Ojukwu, Ezendigbo of Amuwo Odofin, described him as a man of great repute worthy of his respect. HRH Amanyo also stated that there is a similar significance in the Igbo culture and Republic of Benin culture, the difference is in the language. Appraised Igbos who resides and do business in Benin, says they are genuine people.
Mrs Ashara Maureen Chika,vice chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA, a daughter of Igbo descent attended the 2nd year Ofala of Eze Ojukwu in dual capacity as the vice chairman, also a representative of the Executive Chairman of Amuwo Odofin LGA , Engr Dr Valentine Oluwaseyi Brymo. She said the Ofala celebration is a unique event for the Igbos, the Igbos regard anywhere they reside as home and as such will always practice culture whether far or near.
She stated that the Ofala celebration is about promoting “Peace and Unity” a theme regarded as important especially after the February 2023 elections and the tribal conflicts associated with it which resulted to a brawl leading to injuries inflicted on persons in Amuwo Odofin. In other words, the essence of the celebration is to foster peace amongst tribes while celebrating the Igbo culture. Uses the medium of a media chat to advice traders to maintain cleanliness and adhere to the laws of the land.
Chief Lawrence Chikwado Ezeunara, Chairman Ohaneze Ndigbo Amuwo Odofin LGA who was also coronated as a member of Eze Ojukwu’s cabinet enlightened the public through a press interview on the essence of the Ofala festival. He said ofala festival is about celebrating the harvest season after planting and nurturing, giving thanks to God for a bountiful harvest by means of cultural practices/celebration.He said in ancient times the ofala was used as a medium to calculate the commencement of a new year before civilisation took over.
Speaking about his new chieftaincy title ” Akaoma Anaezigwe”( Lift your hands up for answers to prayers) presented to him by Eze Udo II of Amuwo Odofin, he told Naomi Sophy Blog that his title will be used judiciously to promote peace and unity as the theme of the ofala festival implies. Says friction amongst Igbo leaders of Ohaneze in Lagos will soon be a forgotten issue as plans are underway for a resolution.
Lolo Mrs Ezeunara Susan said her husband, Chief Chikwado’s newest achievement comes with more responsibilities and should be maintained in humility. She said it is a cultural norm for the wife of a chief to be decorated along sides her husband during coronation, says it is her duty to be supportive morally and spiritually in accordance with being a wife.
HRM Eze Sunday Augustine Ojukwu Ezendigbo of Amuwo Odofin in an interview with Naomi Sophy Blog reveals his 2nd year celebration of Ofala is meant to promote peace and unity amongst conflicting Igbo leaders and other subordinates.Says this year’s event is called “Udokanma” which means peace is the best especially with the happenings recorded during the last election amongst tribes in Amuwo Odofin.
Eze Sunday said the ofala festival is celebrated every 3 to 5 years to thank God for life. The ofala is also a way of enlightening children inexposed to culture and traditions about the Igbo heritage, roots and practices. Says Ohaneze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin has inaugurated an Igbo language school for the children born and bred in Lagos to learn language. Stated that the adopted idea of building an Igbo language school is an initiative gotten from Eze Njoku, Ezendigbo of Ejigbo, a very fantastic idea to help promote the Igbo culture.
More also, other tribes which includes: the hausas, yorubas, the tivs, efiks and other tribes are opportune to witness the rich cultural practices of the igbos like breaking of kolanuts, masquerade displays etc.
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Eze Sunday commended the effort of the government for the palliatives distributed, appreciate Gov. Babajide Sanwoolu for restoring peace by re-opening trade fair market, thanked Lawma, stakeholders and management board for interceding in the resolution.
More photos from the event:
