MTN raises the bar for Ofala Nnewi Festival

The 49th edition of the Ofala Nnewi festival was characterised with cultural displays, dancing competitions and parade of the best of masquerades, as the people showed a sense of pride in their heritage. The people of Nnewi woke up on Friday, December 28, to the various sounds of canon shots, which heralded the opening of the Ofala festival. The much anticipated two-day celebration, over the years, have become a unifying factor, bringing together, year in, year out, sons and daughters of Nnewi, from far and wide.
The festival unfolded with the arrival of Ndi Nnewi (the people of Nnewi) at the Palace, who came with various gift items to pay homage to HRH, Igwe Dr. Kenneth Orizu III, as he marked another year of his ascension to the throne. Thereafter, the Igwe after a warm reception of his people in his chamber, made his first appearance, accompanied by the Obis of the different clans in Nnewi, alongside members of his royal cabinet and the body of titled Chiefs. This he did, thrice in between reception and homage.
A platform like the Ofala Festival was the only opportunity he could take advantage of, to interact with his people. “This is why he normally makes his appearance three times to greet his people and connect to them. After which he then addresses them, expresses his appreciation for their contribution during the year, lists projection for the upcoming year and then seeks their co-operation,” Hon Chukwudi Orizu, Deputy Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly and second son of the Igwe explained.
The Ofala Festival, which primarily is a celebration of the throne, is a long-standing tradition in the history of the Igbo race and a common heritage, in every community, in Igbo land. The festival is celebrated, once in a year, by most of the paramount chiefs, Ezes and Igwes and their various communities, to mark the end of the new yam festival and this is why the Igbos travel, from far and wide, to be a part of the festival, in their respective communities. Speaking on the significance of the festival, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, said; Ofala Nnewi has a huge tourism potential for the state.