The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Assoc. Prof. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma has described the Ofala festival of HRH Igwe (Dr.) Emmanuel Oluchukwu Ugwu, JP, Anyanwu na Walu Oha I of Ibagwa Nike, Enugu State, as a replica of the Institute’s National Conference on “Culture, Peace and National Security” for Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Prof. Ayakoroma stated this in his Goodwill Message during the 7th edition of the Ofala Festival, on Tuesday, 29th December, 2015 at Enenwudala Auditorium, Ibagwa Nike, venue of the festival, where he was a Special Guest of the Igwe.
He said that he was convinced of this fact having seen the confluence of traditional rulers from the north, west, south and eastern parts of Nigeria, as well as other parts of Africa, like Ghana and Liberia, with the aim of fostering unity, peace, love, etc. within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
“It is also the aim of NICO’s Annual National Conference on Culture, Peace and National Security for Traditional Rulers to promote peace, unity, love in Nigeria, especially as our differences seem to be threatening our unity, common existence and purpose,” he said.
While congratulating the host on the success of the 7th Ofala outing, the NICO boss charged other traditional rulers present at the occasion to take a cue from Igwe Ugwu’s model of Ofala, as no nation can develop without peace, unity, love and care for the less privileged.
Prof. Ayakoroma, who had earlier led NICO team, including his Special Assistant, Mr. Law Iyke Ezeh and the Head of NICO Enugu State Office, Mr. Nnaemeka Nwajagu, to pay homage to Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, thanked the Igwe for the healthy and robust partnership the Institute has been enjoying with him, and prayed him for more collaboration in the years ahead.
In his Ofala message, which he gave after conferring chieftaincy titles on some worthy personalities, the Anyanwu na waru oha I of Ibagwa Nike, said that the whole essence of the festival was to foster love among humanity whether from the east, west, north or south.
He said love remains a universal language as well as the only language spoken in heaven not church, religion or race; and therefore charged the recipients to use the honour done to them to promote love, peace, unity and those culture and traditional values African are known for which they have cherished for ages.
While ratifying the honorary chieftaincy titles, HRM Michael Idakwo Ameh (Agubaidu-Obani II), Atta of Igala land, congratulated the recipients and charged them to use the titles for the purpose on which they were given at their various places.
Some of those conferred with honorary chieftaincy titles were Chief Innocent Ozoemena Ezuma (Ozo Igwe Ndu), Chief (Dr.) Amb. Jude Chukwu Ihenetu (Ugwumba), Hajiya Awa Al-karim (Achara-Ugo Nwanyi), Prof. Christopher Neyor (Chinetu-Ugo), Princess Tupee Enid Neyor (Oso die eme), and Dr. Earnest Gyimay (Ugo-di-namba).
The occasion, which featured cultural performances including masquerade parade, was graced by dignitaries from all walks of life as well as across the length and breathe of Nigeria and beyond, including, HRH Igwe Felix Ugwu of Emene community, Alhaji Jafaru Umoru (Secretary, National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria), Justice Mamman Nasir GCON (Galadima of Katsina), HRM (Dr.) Michael Idakwo Ameh (Agubaidu Obani II, Attah of Igala – president Kogi State Council of Chiefs), His Grace Apostle (Dr.) Innocent Godswill Ikechukwu (President, International Fellowship Centre Worldwide), and HRH Igwe (Dr.) C. A. Nomeh JP (Ezeudo I of Oruku).
Others were HRH Igwe Prof. Elias Osinkennaya (Owelle Nimo), Alhaji Abubakar Garuba (Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command), Chief Dr. Jafaru Bello Dambazzau (Sarkin Yakin Mahuta and Ebube Dike I of Ibagwa), HRM Oba Oladipupo James Kolade (Oluwademilade I Olupoti of Ipoti Kingdom), HRM (Barr.) Sunday Adewumi (Okinbaloye I Onigogo of Igogo Kingdom, Ekiti State), and so many others.
Ibe Michael Ogbuu
Corporate Affairs Unit