All roads will tomorrow lead to Adazi-Nnukwu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State for the celebration of the Last Ofala Festival of His Royal Highness, Igwe Professor Augustine Ikechukwu Obiekezie (Ugommuta), Adama! Adazi-Nnukwu! The President General, the Odu (Onowu), the Igwe-in-council, the Adazi-Nnukwu Town Development Union (ATDU), and the entire Adazi-Nnukwu community most respectfully welcome all to the epoch event to mark the life and times of her illustrious traditional ruler.
Igwe Professor Obiekezie was born at Nguru, Yobe State of Nigeria where he started his early primary school education at St Augustine’s Primary School, Nguru. He came back to Adazi-Nnukwu due to the Nigerian Civil War and completed his primary education at St Andrew’s Primary School, Adazi-Nnukwu. He proceeded Bubendorff Memorial Grammar School (BMGS), Adazi-Nnukwu for his secondary school education in May 1970 immediately after the war. He was, therefore, among the first set of post-war students of the school. He sat for the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in June 1973, thus concluding his secondary education in three years with distinction in all nine subjects. Igwe Obiekezie proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (Calabar Campus) where he studied Zoology and graduated with a second class hounours (upper Division) in 1978. In 1983, Professor Obiekezie obtained a Ph.D in Aquatic Pathobiology from the University of Calabar and thereafter concluded a Post Doctorate Fellowship in several universities in Germany. He was elevated to the rank of professor of Aquatic Pathobiology in October 1995.
Professor Obiekezie served in various capacities within the Nigerian university system as Head of Department, Director of the institute of Oceanography and two term Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of the University of Calabar from 2011-2015. He was also guest lecturer in aquatic studies and External Assessor for several Nigerian universities.
Professor Obiekezie was an Environmental Consultant to the Oil Industry and served as Principal Environmental Adviser on major projects for Shell Petroleum Development
Company. He was widely travelled and authored several publications in national and international journals, including several monographs on Environmental Studies and Aquatic Pathology. Professor Obiekezie won several international academic awards, including the 2001 International Foundation for Science (IFS) awards and several others.
Igwe Professor Obiekezie held the traditional Ozo title of Ezeana Ugommuta of Adazi-Nnukwu and was active in various aspects of the development of Adazi-Nnukwu, both at Age Grade and community levels.
Following the transition to eternal glory of Igwe Michael Obudume Ojiakor III, Professor Obiekezie was elected as the Igwe and Adama Adazi-Nnukwu in November 2015. He was certified as Traditional Ruler of Adazi-Nnukwu by His Excellency, Chief (Dr) Willie Obiano, then Governor of Anambra State, on the 4th of April, 2016.
Igwe Professor Obiekezie focused on ensuring communal peace and development, particularly in the development of the youth of Adazi-Nnukwu. Towards achieving this end Igwe Professor Obiekezie was in the forefront of securing placement for the Adazi-Nnukwu youths and students in institutions of higher learning as well as giving encouragement and providing material support for the disadvantaged at all levels. He established the town’s Education Trust Fund and scholarship for primary, secondary and tertiary institution students.
Igwe Prof. Obiekezie was married and blessed with children.
The last Ofala Festival holds tomorrow Wednesday 28th December, 2022. By 10:00am, a Pontifical high mass will be held at St Andrew’s Pro-Cathedral, Adazi-Nnukwu. The Last Ofala proper commences by 1pm at the Igwe’s Palace, Adazi-Nnukwu.
Adazi-Nnukwu community most respectfully welcomes your esteemed presence at the event.
Adama! Adama! Adama!
Written by HON. GREG ONUGBOLU (JP)
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