It was a blend of diverse cultures during the one hundred and twenty fourth Ovala Aguleri, where the immediate past Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai was given a chieftaincy title of “Ochiagha Dike Eji Eje Ogu of Aguleri kingdom.”
The title was bestowed on him by the Traditional Ruler of Aguleri, Igwe Michael Idigo, at the Ama igwe square, Aguleri, Anambra East council area.
The outing by Amanwulu children signalled the commencement of the event after which the wife of the traditional ruler, Mrs. Mediatrix Idigo, flanked by Iyom Umuala, Umuada Umuala and iyom Ndi cabinet who toured the arena welcoming Ndi Aguleri ono n’uno, ono n’ezi as well as guests, friends and well-wishers, including Presidents General of town unions from all the communities in Omabala zone.
At this point, the newest chieftaincy holder in Aguleri, Lieutenant General Buratai and his friends from the North and West led by the immediate past Governor of Anambra state, Chief Willie Obiano stormed the arena.
Igwe Idigo entered the arena and extended greetings to the guests , Ndi ichie, Ndi Ojiani uno and other traditional rulers that graced the occasion, including the Chairman of South East Council of traditional rulers and traditional ruler of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Achebe, Igwe Peter Anugwu of Mbaukwu, Igwe Ben Emeka of Umueri, Igwe George Okaa-Onwuigu of Nawgu, Igwe Oranu Chidiume of Omor, and host of other traditional rulers.
In a welcome speech, Igwe Idigo highlighted various activities that featured in the ovala before the ovala fiesta, saying that he titled the event “ovala Izu ka mma”, as according to him, they only need to unite and chart ways to move the community forward, calling on communities in the region having boundary issues to use dialogue in settling the matter as he said that violence leads to nothing good.
Igwe Idigo commended former Governor Obiano for championing the installation of Chief Buratai as a way of promoting unity in diversity, and said that Chief Buratia is now an indigene of Aguleri and will be participating in all their activities.
Speaking at a reception he organized in honour of Chief Buratai, former Governor Obiano said that the installation was necessary given the pivotal role Chief Buratai played in giving Anambra a water tight security when he was the Governor of Anambra state, recalling that Anambra was adjudged the state with best security network in Nigeria during his tenure.
The President General of Aguleri, Barrister Ifeanyi Iloakasia said that ovala Aguleri is a unique culture that they are proud of, thanking Ndi Aguleri for rallying round their monarch as they yet again proved that they are a land of peace.
The Chairman organizing Committee of the one hundred and twenty fourth Ovala Aguleri, Chief Tony Oli, and the Director of Media and Publicity of the festival, Chief Amaechi Akora, both cabinet members of Aguleri, thanked God that the Ovala activities which started with youths event on 31st of December 2023, Ovala Children’s party on the second of January 2024 followed by Okanga Lecture, and Igba Ada and finally Ovala fiesta, a memorable event packed to give Ndi Aguleri and their guests a feel of what Christmas celebration was in their town.
The event also featured the initiation of Mrs. Maureen Odili, wife of former Chief of Staff to former Governor Obiano, Chief Primus Odili into Otu Odu Aguleri with the title name, “Ugo Belu N’Oji”.
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