[Full Photos] 2017 Ofala Festival in Ukpor • Obiano, Dokpesi, Ekweremmadu, 18 others bag chieftaincy titles

Brief History of Ofala Festival

The Ofala festival is celebrated as a sign of authority and legitimacy bestowed on the traditional ruler in the land to guide the people on the path of truth and wisdom.

The age long Ofala festival has remained a unifying force, and part of the identity of our people since the days of our ancestors. It is an event that has been passed on from generation to generation all over Igboland.

Today, the age long social tradition has gained global recognition, therefore, it has become a major tourist attraction in Ukpor.

During Ofala festival, Ukpor sons and daughters with their families from different parts of Igboland, Nigeria, and Diaspora assemble in our respective communities at the Palace of our traditional rulers to celebrate this important and colourful festival.

The highlight of the festival is the arrival of the traditional ruler in his royal regalia before the hailing of the crowd made up of his people, friends, and well-wishers.

The festival, which is celebrated as a way to keep the heritage of Igboland alive, is also an occasion for the traditional ruler to honour deserving individuals with chieftaincy titles.

This Year's Ofala festival in Ukpor

Ukpor is a town in Nnewi South L.G.A, Anambra State. This is the second Ofala festival and 8 years in the throne of His Royal Majesty, Dr Onyimadu Felix Nwosu, the Igwe of Ukpor.

This year's event which was celebrated today, April 22, 2017, was fully attended by notable men and women from all over the world, including the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano and numerous others. His wife Ebele Obiano was conferred 'Kpakpado' of Ukpor while Senator Ike Ekweremmadu and His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi were conferred 'Ikenga N'Ukpor' and Ebekuo Dike Gburugburu N'Ukpor respectively.

Below is the full list of those conferred with chieftaincy titles.

1. Chief Tony Mgbemena(Mmiri Mara ugo)

2. Chief Charles Okafor(Ugochukwu Tubelu)

3. Chief Greg Okafor(Okaka)

4. Chief Patrick Ezeukwu(Ezennanyelugo)

5. Chief Mike Agbasi(Ikenaga)

6. Chief Alex Ike Okeke(Akaekpuchi Onwa)

7. Chief Osita Okeke(Dikedioramma)

8. Chief Jude Aneto(Ukwuoma kporo Ukpor)

9. Chief Celestine Emokai(Agunechemba)

10. Chief Ossy Iyiegbu(Ikpe Mara Eziokwu)

11. Chief Emeka Chukwuka(Ezeugo Chinewube Eze)

12. Sir Greg Esotu(Eze Ononenyi)

13. Chief Vincent Ajuluchukwu(Ikemba)

14. Chief Obunike Ohaegbu(Ezesinachi)

15. Chief Barth Eze-Okechukwu(Mmiri Ukpor)

16. Chief Benson Okoli(Okpuruisi Zuruoha)

17. Her Eexcellency Ebele Obiano (Kpakpando)

18. Hon. Anthony Igwegbe(Ifemba)

19. Senator Ike Ekweremmadu(Ikenga N'Ukpor)

20. Chief Ramond Dokpesi(Okwuru Oha)

20. Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka(Dike Na Mmuta)

21. His Excellency, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the executive governor of Enugu State (Ebekuo Dike Gburugburu N'Ukpor)

Her Excellency Ebele Obiano was conferred "Kpakpando" by His Royal Majesty, Dr Onyimmadu Nwosu, The Igwe of Ukpor

From left— Barr. Hyacinth Maduagwu, The Speaker of Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu, Igwe of Ukpor and the Anambra State governor with his wife 

Dr. Anthony Igwegbe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi receiving certificate off his chieftaincy title 

His Royal Majesty, Igwe KON. Orizu III of Nnewi 

Chief Charles Okafor and wife

The arrival of Igwe Orizu

Chief Jude Aneto with Chinese envoy 

Igwe flanked by Rev. Fr. Chidolue Don and Chief COC Ugboaja 

Chief Mike Agbasi and wife

Chief Charles Okafor (Ugochukwu Tubelu N'Ukpor) receiving certificate of his title from the Igwe of Ukpor

 Chief Mike Agbasi (Ikenga Ukpor) 

Sir Greg Esotu (Eze Ononenyi of Ukpor)

Chief Ossy Iyiegbu (Ikpe Mara Eziokwu N'Ukpor)

Chief Tony Mgbemena (Mmiri Mara ugo N'Ukpor)

Chief Barth Eze-Okechukwu (Mmiri Ukpor)

Chief Greg Okafor (Okaka N'Ukpor)

Chief Patrick Ezeukwu (Ezennanyelugo of Ukpor)

The Ezeukwu's

Chief Obunike Ohaegbu (Ezesinachi of Ukpor)

Chief Benson Okoli (Okpuruisi Zuruoha of Ukpor)

Chief Vincent Ajuluchukwu (Ikemba N'Ukpor)

Chief Jude Aneto (Ukwuoma kporo Ukpor)

Chief Celestine Emokai (Agunechemba N'Ukpor) 

The arrival of Chief Mrs Nkoli Imo, founder Adadioramma foundation 

The arrival of Igwe Ohazulike, Ezendigbo of Lagos State 

The arrival of the speaker Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Rita Maduagwu led by Egnr Felix Odumegwu, Nnewi South TC Chairman 

Associate Prof. Frank Aneto and Chief Jude Aneto

Rev. Walter Okeke 

Anambra State commissioner for health and commissioner for local government 

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Onwa of Ukpor with members of Igwe's cabinet 

The arrival of her excellency, Mrs Ebele Obiano

Dobiri Aku n'Ukpor with Auto Mercury, Chibike Marcel and Ezeukwu 

Hon. Ikenna Mbaz Amechi with the commissioner for local government, Chief Greg Obi

The arrival of his excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra State 

Members of Ukpor Unique Club of Nigeria 

The Okonkwo's

Chibuike Marcel and Emeka Anene

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MC of the event, Nwafuribe Chukwudiegwu, the triple Chief 

Udara Ukpor

Livinus Adili and wife, Founder, Livi Adili foundation 

Chief Obunike Ohegbu with members of Ukpor Unique Club of Nigeria

Chinonso Francis and Emeka Anene

From left— Tochukwu Emesim, Egnr Felix Ifeagwazi, Nze Remy Nnakife, Chief Fidel Anyaora and Arinze Chukwudebelu

Elechukwu Nwanya with Fidelis Obiora  Nwanya, MD/CEO FIDON Intl Ltd

Jonathan Umeh, CEO Jomax Trucks Ltd with Chief Ayoola and Chief Simple Akaelu

Bebeto Udennaka and Ofuru Mma Mee