Igwe Nnewi Celebrates 1st Day Ofala 2024

Ofala festival is a very big and significance event in Nnewi City.

It is the event that heralds the first official appearance of the Igwe to the eyes of his people.

In Nnewi, the Igwe does not move about randomly nor is seen anyhow.

So Ofala Festival is one time the Igwe shows himself to his people and communicates with them.

It is also called Igụ Arọ in some parts as it is a way of counting the numbers of Years a king has been on the throne.

This year, Igwe Nnewi, Igwe Kenneth Onyeneke Orizu (III) celebrates his 61 Years on the Throne and his 99th Birthday.

This year’s Ofala Festival is just as loud and big as others, with many dignitaries gracing the occasion.

And the Ofala kicked off with the usual Christian service.

Igwe, through his royalty, selfless personality,  and educational prowess has garnered many friends and business associates over the years.

As he is also the longest serving and Oldest Monarch in Africa and beyond, it has increased his popularity and gave him more influence.

Igwe is also well travelled during his youthful days and that has reserved him a great deal of respect from other Monarchs and royalties.

Ofala festival this year takes 2 days, 27th and 28th of December and the first Day just took place.

It was a beautiful and colourful sight to behold as the Igwe Nnewi Palace was decorated all the way from the entrance to the inside and several stands representing different brands that were line up at strategic positions for publicity and sales to the visitors.

Canopies and chair were all well arranged at both entrance and inside to welcome and accommodate visitors.

As the day dawned, the great people of Nnewi started trickling in, in their numbers. All dressed looking their best.

Colourful hair, pristine outfits and amazing looks were seen all over the place.

The trademark of Nnewi City was not left out, Bikes. They were neatly parked and arranged at designated corners for decorum and orderliness. It was an array of them because almost everyone in Nnewi owns a bike.

As noon came by, visitors from far and wide started trooping in.

The Obi Uruagu, Obi Afam Obi (Ogidi), Obi Umudim, Obi Bennett Okafor (Amaukwu), and Obi Nnewichi, Obi George Onyeakaba (Obidiugwu) were all present for the grand occasion, which validates the cohesion and unity of Nnewi.

Member of the Senate of Nigeria, Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe was present.

The wife of the Distinguished Former Governor of Eastern Nigeria and leader of the defunct state of Biafra, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Now the Federal Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) paid obeisances to the King.

The CEO of Innoson Group, Chief Innocent Chukwuma as a great kinsman was there to celebrate with his royal father. He came with his emissaries bearing gifts.

Senator Victor Umeh also showed up with his Family to celebrate the Igwe.

So many groups, societies and lines of businesses were well represented as they came in numbers to show solidarity and respect to the King.

Igwe K.O.N, the great king of Nnewi Community was seen seated on his throne at a platform overseeing visiting trooping in. He was flanked by his Sons and his Step brother, Prince Afam Orizu.

Behind him sat all the members of the Royal Cabinet.

So many troupes of dancers, drummers and performers graced the occasion with their performances.

The stage was filled with activities all day long as troupe after troupe came in to show off their best dances to the delight of everyone present.

So many Monarchs from far and wide were present to celebrate this day with Igwe Nnewi.

So many societies and groups trooped in with lots of gifts for the King as a mark of respect.

The King broke kolanut, prayed for his people, addressed them and celebrated with them.

On this occasion, Igwe used this grand opportunity to also crown some of his worthy subjects with titled names.

Her Excellency Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu was honored with the title of “Iyom Akaepkuchi Onwa.”

Igwe Nnewi gave the title of “Ifechukwudebelu Nnewi” to Senator Umeh. He was hooded by the Crown Prince, before Igwe Nnewi put a red cap on his head, and then decorated him with special beads on his neck, and handed him a fan made with an animal skin with his new title name emblazoned on it.

Senator Dr Chris Ngige, a former Governor of Anambra State, former Senator, and former Minister of Labour, was given the title of “Otuwaluzo Nnewi”.

Finally, Chief Barr Sylvester Okonkwo who is the outgoing Chief of Staff to His Excellency, Akpabio, Senate President of the Federation, and now, the Chairman of Southeast Development Commission. The Igwe bestowed on him the title of “Ugomba Nnewi”

It was indeed a day to remember as every road is Nnewi led to the Kings Palace and afterwards, all left happily as they came.