Echoes from Agubueze  Ofala Festival 

THE Onuigba Palace of Igwe Lawrence Agubueze  was agog last Saturday as the community gathered to mark the first Egwu Oha of Ezema Ola Festival, as well as the 10th anniversary coronation of the paramount ruler who interestingly was an ambassador.

MAKA NDIGBO which witnessed the event held at the heart of Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu observed the festival started with Church  Service attended top dignitaries including Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his deputy, Cecilia Ezeilo.

The officiating Priests were: Very Reverend Monsignor Luke Adike, the Vicar- General, Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Very Reverend Fr. Louis Ndulue, Dean, Aguobu Owa Deanery, Reverend Fr. Pascal Nwosu (Parish Priest of  Christ the King, Ezema Olo,

Indeed, the Igwe Eze Ogbunechendu the Chief Celebrant was at his best moment at the occasion as his palace was a Mecca of sort with visitors from far and near in attendance. The event was unique as it blended Christianity and African tradition.

Many things might have worked for the renowned diplomat who is currently the Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council. To his admirers, it was pay back time for the Igwe as he is also known for his philanthropy.

Little wonder, the Spokesman of the host family, Chikezie Agubuzu was at hand to commend members of the Local Organizing Committee especially its Chairman, Professor Moses Okonkwo and Secretary, Martin Ilo for  making the event a huge success.

Some of the prominent men who were given chieftaincy titles were the former Economic Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Professor Osita Ogbu, Kiran Anayo of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) and Chief Osita Okechukwu, Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON)

Speaking to MAKA NDIGBO at the occasion, Professor Ogbu who was bestowed with Okosisi 1 of Enugu State, said, “I feel honored by this chieftaincy title given to me today and I see it as a call for more to humanity and my state. As the name of the title implies, I have to serve as umbrella and solution to everyone that will cross my path. I most respectively thank the Igwe and the people of Olo for this honour.”

For Okechukwu of VON, he used the occasion to solicit support for President Muhammadu Buhari ahead 2019, stressing that it will facilitate Ndigbo for 2023 presidency.

The VON Boss who represented President Buhari at the event, stated that the Buahri presidency will benefit Ndigbo immensely in infrastructural development, employment generation, agriculture and social security which he said is a prelude to Buhari’s re-election.