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By Simeon Mpamugoh
Eze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin, Augustine Sunday Ojukwu, recently marked his second Ofala festival and cultural fiesta in Lagos, with peace as its theme.
The event, which took place at the Trade Fair Motel, witnessed in attendance dignitaries and cultural troupes from various ethnic groups in Nigeria.
He stated that Ofala was a feast of culture celebrated between three and five years, with the aim to thank God for allowing the crown to continue to rest on the head of the king, adding that this year’s edition was slated to declare peace in the land.
He said: “There is a need for us to strive for peace (udo ka mma) at all times because it is a virtue of development. We believe that peace building and conflict resolution efforts are essential for sustainable development as they help to reduce tension, prevent violence and create an enabling environment for development initiatives to succeed, and when there is peace, everyone will have rest of mind.”
He appealed to the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu to raise the bar on palliatives to the residents as hunger was gradually pushing young people to crimes”
Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area Hon. Valentine Oluwaseyi Buraimoh, represented at the event by his deputy, Hon. (Mrs) Ashara Maureen Chika, said that the festival has a potential to promote peace and harmony within the local government area and the state at large because it was a unique event in Igbo land.
Chairman, Ohaneze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin, Chikwado Lawrence Ezeunara, who was honoured the traditional title of Akaoma Anaezigwe, said that Igbo language and culture will not be extinct among Igbo children born in Amuwo Odofin and its environ.
According to him, “we are doing something about it promotion within the community. We have got a school through financial contributions of council members to train our children on how to speak Igbo language and other aspects of Igbo culture.”
King Savi Gaston Dithoumon Amanyou of Republic of Benin while sharing the relationship between him and Ojukwu through a French interpreter Bernard Edward said: “We are good friends and neighbours. I like Igbo culture, their lifestyle and belief and this is the reason I had to honour the invitation to attend this occasion.
“I have always enjoyed the peaceful conduct of Igbo people and Eze Sunday Ojukwu in particular. He has always advocated for peace in private and public life. And when he told me of the festival, I shelved every other engagement in order to attend.”
The president of Huaxing Arts Troupe Nigeria, a Chinese Art Troupe, Mr Eric Ni, noted that cultural exchange between Nigeria and China can foster peace and harmony between the two countries He said: “Culture is a powerful tool for intergovernmental relationship. So, we have an onerous task to promote our various cultures to the rest of the world in order to attract tourists because culture is dynamic to the French, Chinese and others in different parts of the world.”
Director of culture in Amuwo Odofin local government area, Nze N.Chibuzo, said that his directorate ensured that anywhere Ndigbo were found her cultural norm was kept alive
“We make sure we promote the norms so that people around us will see what we believe in and also enjoy our hospitality with us,”
