By Obianuju Azukaego
Not fewer than 100 Nigeria artists are expected to participate in this year’s 2023 Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe’s Ofala Art Exhibition.
The exhibition slated to take place in October is part of the activities to mark the Monarch's 21st Ofala Festival Celebration.
The Chairman of the Ofala Strategic Marketing and Communication sub-Committee, Chief Nnaemeka Maduegbunam, made this known at a press conference in Onitsha.
Chief Maduegbunam said," the artists will come from the five States of the South East Region comprising of Anambra, Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo to present their art works.
"The Artists are expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Igbo land, Onitsha in particular".
Chief Maduegbunam also said that there will be Ofala annual lecture series at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University at Igbariam which will be delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese ,Rt. Rev. Felix Demi Ajakaye.
He added that Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe (Agbogidi) has made giant strides since he ascended the throne.
According to Maduegbunam, Igwe Achebe has achieved a communal transformation hinged on a new value system for lifting the poor and most vulnerable in his domain from consumption and dependency to production and self-reliance.
“This vision is animated in the work of the Onitsha Advancement Foundation (OnAF) he said. “This year’s Ofala and the associated events will run over a three-week period in the month of October.
“The Ofala of His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, which will be held at Ime Obi Onitsha will span two days – Iru Ofala on October 14 and the Azu Ofala on October 15. The two ritual ceremonies leading directly to the Ofala, Inye ukwu na nlo Eze Onicha (spiritual retreat) and Ogbalido are scheduled for October 7 and October 10, respectively.
“This has been recently introduced and is promoted by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu University, named the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations / Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Obi Nnaemeka Achebe Annual Lecture, the maiden edition of the lecture series would be given by the Rt Rev Felix Femi Ajakaye, Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese".
"He will be speaking on Traditional Institutions, Public Relations, and Good Governance in Contemporary Nigeria. The venue is Education Trust Fund. (ETF) Hall, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus, and will commence at 12:00".
According to Maduegbunam, October 7 will be the eve of this year’s Ofala."The Oreze Art Exhibition is designed to provide exposure to a budding artist living and practicing in the Southeast of Nigeria.
"Over 100 artists resident in the southeast region have made their exhibition debuts at Oreze. The series is also an avenue for multi-talented and well-established artists from various parts of the world to exhibit their works."
The Chairman noted that there will be a Youth carnival which will be organized by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council (OYC) to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Onitsha indigenes.
“It will be the biggest cultural street funfair in the Southeast region of Nigeria, it is a colourful moving train of various Onitsha cultural outfits and dances on the major streets of the metropolis. In the process, it provides entertainment for both the youth participants and the spectators that cut across various age categories.
“In addition, it ensures the sustainability of the customs and traditions of Onicha Ado N’Idu (Onitsha), by inculcating in the youths, a sense of pride and love for the heritage of their hometown. Wednesday, October 18, 2023, is Ofala Banquet", he said.
Chief Maduegbunam, also noted that the organizing Committee of the Ofala Festival are making frantic efforts to provide maximum security to ensure crowd management and control during the annual cultural event.
The Chairman said that the Ofala Festival has increased in scope , dimensions and fame since the current Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe ascended the throne, adding that it has gained national/international recognition including endorsement by the Nigerian Tourism Board.
“The festival with the theme; Better, Stronger and Together, is jointly organized by Globacom and International Breweries PLC (Hero), as partners,” Chief Maduegbunam added. (Ministry of Information)
Comments
Post a Comment