By Emmanuel Ndukuba
No fewer than 120 artists’ works from multi-talented and well-established artists from various parts of the world will be on display during the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe’s 20th coronation anniversary.
108scoop reports that the coronation would take place between Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.
Chief Okey Mike Areh, the Onya Ozoma of Onitsha, and Chairman of the Ofala Steering Committee disclosed this at a media briefing at Ime Obi Onitsha on Thursday.
He said the Oreze Arts Series, a group art exhibition promoted by His Majesty’s Chimedie Museum Trust Foundation, returning after a two-the-year, 2020 and 2021 break due to the pandemic.
Areh said the eighth edition of the series would open on Oct. 21 and run until Oct. 25 at Oreze VIII, Onitsha, Anambra state.
According to him, the series is designed to provide exposure to budding artists living and practising in the South East of Nigeria and other parts of the world.
They include Alex Nwokolo, Kainebi Osahenye, Edison Ekwueme, Dr Bolaji Ogunwo, Tola Wewe, and Ayeva Nourridine.
The special guest will be Prof. John Ogene, Professor of Art History and Graphics, Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Benin.
Areh noted that the 2022 Ofala events would commence with the Ofala Youth Carnival on Oct. 21.
He said the carnival which is organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council (OYC) would showcase the rich cultural heritage of Onitsha indigenes and “is probably the biggest cultural street fun-fair in the South East of Nigeria.”
He added that the two major events started 11 years ago except for the two years of the cub pandemic in 2020 & 2021.
“There were interruptions in 2020 and 2021owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Against the background of the pandemic, the 2022 edition will not be as expansive as those of previous years and has been restricted to an arena: Okwueze Umuezearoli,” Areh said.
He said that a Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of the Obi of Onitsha would be held on Oct. 26 at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha.
He affirmed that the activities will be rounded off with an Ofala Thanksgiving service on Oct. 30 at St. Stephens Anglican Church, St. Stephens Road, Onitsha.
Areh stated that the Ofala has been endorsed by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, the apex tourism Regulatory Agency in the country as a major Nigerian Festival.
He said that all is set for the 2022 Ofala of Obi of Onitsha, adding that The celebration is to be held at Ime Obi Onitsha spanning two days -Iru Ofala on Oct. 22 and the Azu Ofala on Oct. 23.
His Majesty will also be using the occasion of the Ofala to commemorate his 20th anniversary on the throne of Eze Chima.
Igwe Achebe ascended the throne 20 years ago on May 14, 2002, which coincidentally was his 61st birthday.
The Ofala is the high point of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. The Obi of Onitsha is the celebrant of this spectacle which is rooted in deep spirituality.
The Ofala is an occasion for the monarch to fulfil certain obligations.
It is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period the monarch successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom.
It is also a re-enactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects, at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and a valuable source of food.
Four days before the festival, the Igwe goes into seclusion.
He retreats to commune with his ancestors, and to thank them for protecting him and his subjects for the past year as well as pray for peace and prosperity in the year to come. On the day of the festival, the Obi makes three appearances.
After the early morning rituals, the trumpeters announce his entry before he shows up, fully dressed in his royal regalia, highlighted with the royal crown (ok dodo), acknowledging the crowd that would have gathered by waving at all the directions to the people and then returning inside.
It serves as a rite of renewal for the king or Obi. The term ofala is derived from two Igbo words – ofo (authority) and ala (land).Â
The festival is celebrated within two days mostly in October by the king or Obi.
Globacom and International Breweries Plc., are the official sponsors of the Ofala.
Globacom has been partnering with the Onitsha Traditional Council since 2011.
The relationship between these bodies and the Onitsha community has contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of the Ofala and the Cosmopolitan city of Onitsha.
Four days before the festival, the Igwe goes into seclusion. He retreats to commune with his ancestors, and to thank them for protecting him and his subjects for the past year as well as pray for peace and prosperity in the year to come.
On the day of the festival, the Obi makes three appearances.
After the early morning rituals, the trumpeters announce his entry before he shows up, fully dressed in his royal regalia, highlighted with the royal crown (okpu ododo), acknowledging the crowd that would have gathered by waving at all the directions to the people and then returns inside.
It serves as a rite of renewal for the king or Obi. The term ofala is derived from two Igbo words – ofo (authority) and ala (land). The festival is celebrated within two days mostly in October by the king or Obi.
Mr Michael Ehumadu, Globacom Regional Sales Manager, Enugu said: ‘’We are greatly delighted to be part of this year’s Ofala Festival celebration, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic prevented us from holding the festival in 2020 and 2021’’.
According to him, since the company signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be the major sponsor of the prestigious event in 2011, it had always looked forward to partnering with the Palace and the Festival Planning Committee to ensure each year’s edition outstrips the previous year in grandeur and style.
“This is not just because of our commitment to preserving our rich cultural heritage, but it is also driven by our belief in the huge potential of Ofala and other important festivals in boosting our tourism and travel industry,” he said.
