It was a rich display of the people’s culture, traditions and pageantry, over the weekend, as the traditional ruler of Omor kingdom in Ayamelum Council Area of Anambra State, Igwe Chris Oranu Chidume celebrated the 2023 Ofala festival of the community.
The festival had started as is customary, with the arrival of warriors from the various villages comprising the community, at the palace of Eze Ana-Ukwu, Igulube Omor, where they were received by the monarch.
It was well attended by sons and daughters of Omor Community, friends, well-wishers, and people from all walks of life, even expatriates, who converged on the palace to celebrate the 2023 Ofala Festival and pay their homage to the monarch.
In a lively ceremony that was reflective of the cultural history, heritage, and traditional attires of the Omor Community, attendees merried and were treated to performances by various masquerades and cultural troupes.
In his Ofala address, the respected traditional ruler, Igwe Chidume thanked God for the gift of life and wealth of his people.
According to him, the Ofala festival has become an agelong tradition through which the Omor people bond and nurture the ties of friendship and brotherliness with themselves and neighbouring communities.
Reviewing the conditiion of people of Omor and Ayamelum, Igwe Chidume called on the state government to look into the roads connecting to Omor to ensure that the community is not cut off from the rest of Anambra State.
Speaking further, the monarch thanked Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo for his gift of free quality education in the state, and the employment of 8,000 teachers so far to ensure the best teachers teach in Anambra Schools.
He noted that Omor under his care will prioritize education and ensure that no Omor child must be seen on the road during school hours.
According to the traditional ruler, the community has witnessed numerous developments under his watch, attributing it to the peace and harmony existing in the community.
In his goodwill message, the Anambra State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji expressed his joy at the turn out of Ndi Omor to celebrate their culture.
He noted further that it shows that there is absolute peace in the state and urged Anambra people to go about celebrating during yuletide, as Governor Soludo is God’s answer to the prayers of Anambra people.
Among the cultural activities during this year’s ofala festival include Ogbagidi Omor, Igwe’s Majestic Outing, and ofala address, Conferment of traditional titles on deserving personalities, native dance groups of different kinds and live band performances.
The ofala witnessed the presence of traditional rulers from different communities in the state led by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha Ancient kingdom.
Among dignitaries that graced the event were former Chief Judge Anambra State, Hon. Justice Obidigwe, Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze , the deputy speaker, Rt Hon. Pius Chukwuma Okoye, Member Representing Ayamelum Constituency, Hon Chris Udemezue, Member Representing Anambra West Hon. Sir Patrick Obalim Udoba Ezego Anam, State Chairman of APGA, High Chief Barr Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, and the youth leader of APGA, Comr. Tochukwu Obiadi
