By Jude Atupulazi
There is palpable excitement in Nimo, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State, as their new traditional ruler, Igwe Maxi Ike Oliobi, Owelle of Nimo, prepares to celebrate his first Uha (ofala) Festival, on January 3.
Igwe Oliobi, who succeeded the late traditional ruler, Igwe John Okafor Agilo, is seen as a new generation monarch who will use his youth and business connections to take the town to the next level.
Speaking to Fides ahead of the festival, he said that everything had gone into top gear to make the event a resounding success.
‘The ofala is the topic of the town and everybody is looking forward to it. People are not only talking about Christmas but also about the ofala; that’s how high they value it. The air is thick with excitement,’ Igwe Oliobi said.
He disclosed that the ofala would feature youth empowerment and lectures aimed at preparing the beneficiaries to excel in their various fields
A series of activities have been lined up to mark the ofala. Some of them, according to the chairman of the Uha Planning Committee, Mr Ekene Obeleagu, include: royal dinner with the Owelle of Nimo at hs palace on 1st January; Mass and Thanksgiving at the palace on 2nd January; and the Uha proper on 3rd January, with many dignitaries expected. It will also feature respect to the town’s immediate past heroes like the late immediate past monarch, Igwe Okafor Agilo, and the late president general of Nimo Town Development Union, Chief Sir Frank Tony Igboka, by the Owelle of Nimo; recognition and handshake with the Owelle of Nimo by the best senior secondary school certificate student, 2019, Master Akachukwu Onyiuke, and the best university graduate, 2019, Miss Chioma Stephanie Okpalaora.
Other activities include the conferment and reading of citations of new chiefs; induction and initiation of agbalenzes into the prestigious Agbalenze Society of Nimo; Paying of homage to the Owelle by all the NTDU headquarters and the branches worldwide, led by their ichies and chiefs, all groups, individuals, friends, age grades and well-wishers.
