Onitsha, October 1, 2021: His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Agbogidi, today Friday, October 1, commenced the annual rites of Inyedo Ukwu na Nlo Eze Onicha. The rites will end on Tuesday, October 5, the eve of Ofala Eze Onicha. This is the period when the monarch goes into a trance in total seclusion to commune with the ancestors in supplication to God for the forgiveness of communal transgressions and wrongdoings over the past year, as well as pray for a peaceful and bounteous year ahead for his community.
In a fuller context, His Majesty, will also be praying fervently for God’s mercy for the end of the turmoil, violence, and hardship that have befallen our dear country in general, and Anigbo in particular. He will be praying for the return of peace, mutual love and respect, justice, fairness, and equity as the fundamental prerequisites for stemming the anger, frustration and bitterness that have enveloped the country
Due to the imperative to sustain the Covid-19 protocols for personal and public hygiene and safety in the face of the prevailing third, and more virulent, wave of the pandemic, His Majesty, has proclaimed that Ofala Eze Onicha on October 6 will be marked very modestly and devoid of the usual fanfare, colour, pomp, and pageantry that have become the global hallmark of the ancient festival. Also, there will be no Azu Ofala celebration. The Owuwa-Ji (New Yam) Festival, which commenced on Friday, 24 September 2021 and will end on Thursday, 21 October with Ikelebe-ji (the new yam celebration by the monarch) will similarly be observed very modestly
It is the hope and prayer of His Majesty and the people of Onitsha that the challenges of this year will come to pass, and circumstances will enable these festivals to return to normal next year, which will be his 20th anniversary on the throne of his ancestors.
Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu
Chief of Staff to The Obi of Onitsha
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