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From Jeff Amechi Agbodo, Onitsha
The traditional ruler of Ogidi kingdom in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Alex Onyido, has appealed to his people to join hands in developing the town, particularly in the areas of infrastructure and security.
He stressed that the essence of the mass return during the Nwafor festival was for prominent and wealthy individuals to collaborate on ideas and contribute to the area’s development.
Speaking at his palace to mark the end of the Nwafor festival, which signifies the end of the planting season, Igwe Onyido emphasised that community development should be a collective effort. He encouraged the wealthy to contribute to providing basic amenities, security gadgets, and infrastructure instead of relying solely on the government.
“We should see Nwafor festival as a rallying time for the people of Ogidi to gather and discuss their development,” he said. “It is a period to chart a way forward and contribute to the community’s growth. A time when all Ogidi indigenes, wherever they are, should return home to support the community in terms of security and infrastructure.”
He urged, “Our people should plan for homecoming during the festival to contribute their quota to the community’s development and move the town forward. The festival ended peacefully, without violence, and we give God the glory. I have declared the festival closed for the year, and no masquerade is to be seen anywhere in Ogidi. Any masquerade seen on the streets of Ogidi will face the wrath of the community and be sanctioned accordingly.”
Igwe Onyido also commended the security agents and vigilance groups for ensuring the safety of lives and property before, during, and after the festival.
Meanwhile, the Idemili North Local Government Youths Union and Ogidi town youths bestowed a prestigious award of excellence – Grand Patron of the Youths – on Igwe Onyido for his continuous support for the youth in Ogidi, Idemili LGA, Anambra State, and Nigeria.
Youth leaders acknowledged the monarch’s remarkable impact on the lives of many youths through job creation, empowerment, moral guidance, and inspiration.
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The award was presented during the Nwafor Ogidi youths’ masquerade carnival at the town hall. Many prominent individuals from Ogidi and beyond witnessed the colourful event, where various masquerades, big and small, performed according to their villages and age grades.
Upon receiving the awards from Comrade Chudi Chukelu, Youth Leader of Umuoji Town and Mayor of all youths in Idemili North LGA, and Comrade Ken Okoli, President-General of ASATU Youths, Anambra State, Igwe Onyido thanked the youths for the honour and commended them for a peaceful festival. Hon. Chris Obi Okafor, President-General of Ogidi Youths, was also present.
The monarch promised to support the youths both morally and financially if they maintain the same level of excellence in the following year.
Addressing the current hardship faced by many families, especially the youth, Igwe Onyido, who has empowered over 5,000 youths in his community through employment in his pharmaceutical company and provided stipends to senior citizens aged 80 and above, cautioned the youth against idleness.
He urged them to engage in one form of work or entrepreneurship, recommending agriculture as a viable option.
“I am warning every youth not to be idle, no matter the situation they find themselves in, because staying idle will lead them to evil things,” he said. “Let them explore agriculture or learn an entrepreneurial skill. There are a lot of opportunities in agriculture, like farming, poultry, etc., or learning one handiwork or the other.”
Earlier, Hon. Chris Obi Okafor, the President-General of Ogidi Youths, highlighted the cultural significance of the Nwafor Ogidi Festival. He noted that it reminds the people of unity, tradition, and communal spirit, transcending mere festivity to become a powerful affirmation of their shared identity, values, and history.
He added that incorporating the maiden youth carnival into the festival had brought colour and a sense of belonging among the youths.
The event’s highlights included conferring awards on twelve distinguished citizens of Ogidi, bestowing four posthumous awards on deceased individuals who contributed to the community’s development, cultural dances, and masquerade displays.
