The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, says the 2023 Ofala festival slated to hold between Oct. 14 and 15 will showcase the cultural heritage of Onitsha people.
Achebe, who said this on Thursday at a news conference on the level of preparedness for the Ofala at his palace in Onitsha, said arrangements were in top gear to celebrate the festival.
The Igwe, who was represented by the Chairman of sub-committee of the Ofala Steering Committee, Mr Nnaemeka Maduegbuna, said that the Ofala was an annual festival of the people of Onitsha where they displayed their rich cultural heritage.
According to him, the celebration of the Ofala festival is billed for Oct. 14 and 15, and will be held in his Palace, situated along Awka road, Onitsha.
“The Ofala is the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period, the monarch may have successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom.
“It is also a reenactment of the joy which the monarch shares with his subjects at the discovery that yam is non-toxic and a valuable source of food,” said the monarch.
“First day is the Ofala proper, “Iru Ofala”, which is Saturday, while the second day, “Azu Ofala”, that is Sunday. The theme of this year’s Ofala is, ‘Better , Stronger and Together,” he said.
The traditional ruler said that the activities lined up for the celebration included road show and a paper presentation at Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Awka.
According to him, the lecture will be delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Rev. Felis Ajakaye, to sensitise people on the Ofala festival, among others. (NAN)
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