Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area and the Country home of Governor Willie Obiano recently played host to dignitaries from all walks of life, as the traditional ruler of the community Eze Christopher Idigo celebrated this year’s Ovala festival.

The event which took place at Ama-Igwe Square was also used to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the town.

The Ovala festival which is the one hundred and nineteenth in the series and the twenty fourth under the reign of Eze Christopher Idigo was tagged Ovala Akuelubego Uno.

The celebration kicked off with a Holy Mass at Saint Raphael Church, Aguleri, where the Auxiliary Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Archdiocese Most Reverend Dennis Isiuzoh, thanked God for keeping and sustaining Eze Idigo and the entire Aguleri people charging the indigenes of the area to always live in peace with one another.

In a message Eze Idigo regretted the constant marginalization of the South-East geo-political zone in the scheme of things in Nigeria and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to ensure that this year’s general elections will be credible, free and fair.

Reading Eze Idigo’s Ovala message, the Chairman Igwe in Council Chief Dominic Ndive, thanked God whose love and Providence kept Ndi Aguleri alive to witness the event and noted that the theme of the ovala is beginning to yield dividends in the areas of hospitality, real Estate
development and agriculture in the State.

The Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Joseph Ahaneku, the Registrar, Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu Dr. Samuel Nnamdi prayed God to keep sustaining Eze Idigo to enable him continue to lead his people aright.

The President-General, Anambra State Association of Town Unions ASATU, Chief Alex Onukwue, a one-time Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters and APGA Candidate for Anambra East and West Federal Constituency in this year’s general elections, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe as well as the Transition Committee chairman for Anambra West Local Government Area, Sir Sylvester Orji-Okafor prayed God to give Eze Idigo good health and wisdom, even as they called for enduring peace and unity amongst communities in the area.

Some dignitaries who attended the event were, the chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Onitsha Obi Alfred Achebe, the traditional ruler of Awka Obi Gibson Nwosu, their Omor counterpart, Igwe Chris Oranu-Chidume, the traditional ruler of Nteje, Igwe Rowland Odegbo, the traditional ruler of Owelle, Igwe Anthony Onyekwelu, the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Garba Umar among others.