Anambra traditional ruler Oranu Chris Chidume celebrates Ofala festival

The traditional ruler of the Omor Community in Ayamelum LGA, in Anambra Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume (Eze Ana-Ukwu, Eze Igulube of Omor), celebrated his 2022 Ofala festival on Friday. The event attendants described it as a complete show of rich cultural history and heritage.

Ofala festival is one of the feasts in Igbo land celebrated by traditional rulers to thank the creator for His mercies. It is also known as an event that brings sons and daughters of the community together under one roof. They come together to pray for peace and progress in Omor. Additionally they celebrate their own who have done well and brought glory to the community.

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Since his emergence, Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume’s annual Ofala festival has become an event people of the community eagerly await. This is because of its merriments. The people started gathering at the Igulube Royal Palace, as early as 7:00 am on Friday. The ruler scheduled the event for Friday.

They went to catch another glimpse of their highly respected king and to witness cascades of other cultural activities on display.

Among the cultural activities were;

  • the Ogbagidi Omor in Igulube Movement
  • Igwe’s Majestic Outing (Iwa-Ogbo)
  • Message from the Throne by Igwe Omor.

Other cultural activities were:

  • Native dance groups
  • Masquerade displays
  • Live band performances, among many others.

Addressing the natives and guests, HRH Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume thanked God for His mercies. He attributed it to the reasons for communal peace, harmonious relationship, brotherliness, and oneness among the people.

While Igwe Igulube recounted the many successes of the community under his care. Additionally, he frowned at the practices of parents giving out their underaged daughters in marriages for economic gains and status.

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He noted that the community has taken up a project to save the girl child from underage marriage by initiating a Girl Child Education Project in Omor that. The project would ensure proper training and development of the girls.

He called on the state government and other well-meaning individuals to key in the idea and brought the project to fruition.

Igwe Chidume also sued for the peaceful conduct of the 2023 general election and advised the various party candidates jostling for different elective positions to go about their campaigns peacefully and not heat the process.

The 2022 Omor Ofala festival was colourful. It attracted people from all walks of life, ranging from govt functionaries, politicians, captains of industry, academics, diplomats, monarchs, religious, women associations, and youth associations within and outside the state.

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