Ofala festival has over the years grown to become one of the biggest royal festivals in Igbo land.
The picture was similar at the royal palace of the traditional ruler of Nise, Awka South Local Government Area, Igwe Romanus Iloh as he celebrated his twenty-third Ofala on the Nise royal stool.
Correspondent Blessing Uchendu reports that Igwe Iloh who was dressed in his royal regalia, accompanied by his wife and cabinet chiefs, was ushered into the Ofala arena as he danced to the tunes of Ịgba Eze and Uvie.
Men and women of various age groups also danced to the beats from the traditional drummers, whereas different social groups and families took turns to entertain the people and pay homage to the king.
In his Ofala message, Igwe Iloh thanked God for fruitful twenty-three years on the throne and reassured Nise people of more fruitful and peaceful reign, while soliciting for their continuous support for the development of the community.
The Monarch commended Governor Willie Obiano for championing people-oriented policies and projects, even as he charged the people of the community to always be law abiding, in addition to respecting constituted authorities.
In their separate remarks, the president General of Nise Town Union, Hon Dom Obiekie and the Chairman twenty-third Ofala festival planning Committee, Sir Emma Ogu, commended Igwe Iloh for his leadership style, as it has attracted tremendous development to the Community.
On their parts, a former Commissioner for health in Anambra State and the Chief Medical Director of the Chukwumeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, Dr Joe Akabuike, the traditional ruler of Umueri, Igwe Ben Emeka and the Secretary General of Nise Town Union, Sir Chris Okeke, said that Nise is blessed with Igwe Iloh as its ruler and described him as a man of wisdom who uses his resources to serve his community and prayed God to continue to bless him.
Earlier in a homily during an interdenominational service that heralded the event, Reverend Father Paschal Nwosu from Enugu Catholic Diocese, urged those in authority to anchor their positions on Jesus Christ in order to achieve God’s purpose for their people.
Igwe Iloh also later conferred various chieftaincy titles on some individuals for their service to their communities and humanity among whom was the Anambra State Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Uche Okafor.
The Ofala festival attracted traditional rulers and important personalities from within and outside Anambra State and featured cultural displays and other eye-catching activities.
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