Ofala festival: US based nurse, others honoured for humanitarian service

By our reporter

Nsukka, the host town of the first indigenous university in Nigeria, the University of Nigeria Nsukka stood still over the weekend as the traditional ruler of Nkpunano community, HRH Igwe Patrick Okolo celebrated the first ofala festival of the community.

It was indeed a carnival of sort as eighteen eminent personalities including women received chieftaincy titles for their outstanding and philanthropic gestures in the society.

One of the women, Chief Amaka Ugwudike, US based medical practitioner, our reporter gathered has been in the forefront of the fight against child abuse in both her community and Nsukka in general.

Chief Ugwudike who hails from Enugu-Ezike, Igbo-Eze North local government of Enugu state became popular for her youths empowerment program, scholarship scheme which centers mainly on women and free health services received the chieftaincy title of "Agbaragasia onaa n'obi."

In a chat with Daily Sun, Chief Ugwudike explained that the chieftaincy title is it call for more humanitarian service to the people.

According to her "I will use this chieftaincy title to better the lot of the people of my zone in particular and humanity in general. I am a US-trained and based nurse and I know what it takes to be a woman especially in this part of the world. 

However, I will use this chieftaincy title to continue to fight for the girl child education which is being relegated to the background in our society here. You know, if I am not educated, I wouldn't have been here today talking with you. We need to do more in fighting against poverty in our land to make way for a better generation."

Asked what she has done to Nkpunano community to deserve the chieftaincy title, Chief Ugwudike said "the chieftaincy title is not all about Nkpunano as a community but humanity in general. I have been able to sponsor some people in the higher institutions, though I don't want to mention their names. In my community, Umuagama, Igbo-Eze north, I have built Town Hall for them. I have a program for scholarship scheme which we have kick started in a mild level. There are so many of them which I don't want to mention here."

Encouraging women to come out and partake in social and political activities, Chief Ugwudike stressed.

"this is time for our women to come and take part in activities like this. They should stop shying away from throwing their weight behind anything they feel will uplift and develop their communities. We have so many educated and travelled women in our Nsukka zone but just few of them have the nerve to partake in politics and cultural activities. This to say the least is not a good omen. This is the second chieftaincy title I have received so far and I am ever ready to receive another in so far it is for the good of the humanity."

Another recipient, Chief Omeje Ejiofor told our correspondent that the chieftaincy title is a call to serve the humanity.

According to Chief Ejiofor who was given the title of Ojinna ka 1 explained that " chieftaincy title of this sort passes through a very thorough scrutiny before it was bestowed on any person. It is a sort of clarion call. A service to the humanity. I have answered the call and God's willing, I will not be found wanting."

Earlier in an address presented by the traditional ruler of the community HRH Igwe (Dr.) Amb. Patrick Okolo told the recipients that " it is my sincere belief that to whom much is given, much is expected. This is the first Ofala festival after my fourteen years as the traditional ruler of this community. You shall set the pace that others shall follow in this community and even beyond. Be a good ambassador of this community. I have been trying to have this Ofala for the past fourteen years now, but like a popular saying goes, God's time is the best."

In a good will message by the Enugu state ministry of health wishes the traditional a long life in his throne.

The message which was signed by the state commissioner for health, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu partly reads, "Your Royal Highness, it is our humble prayer that God Almighty will guide, protect and continue to strengthen you as you pilot the affairs of the people of Nkpunano that you are in the mantle of their leadership."

The high point of the festival was the conferment of various chieftaincy titles to sixteen prominent citizens of the state; Chiefs Omeje Ezikeme, Ugwuoke Osondu, Omeje Ejiofor, Ifeacho Ugwuoke, Chinedu Obodo, Barr. Walter Ozioko, Tabansi Ojoro Job and Ezea Romania.

Others were Ogbonna Nicholas, Justin Mmadubu Attah, Alhaji Isa Nda, Amaka Ugwudike, Hon. Engr. Iloanya, Teresa Ekwom, Idoko Onyedika and Sir Benneth Igwe.