His Royal Majesty, Igwe Engineer Okey Ogbodo, will officially launch a week-long celebration of his 7th Ofala festival today, Monday, 29th December 2025, marking his 17th year on the throne as the Igwe of Ikem Uno Autonomous Community.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!According to a press statement jointly signed by Chiefs Chuks Odoh and Victor Ngwu, chairman and secretary of the 7th Ofala planning committee respectively, the festivities will commence with the traditional seven-gun salute from each of the five clans of the community at 6:00 a.m. The ceremony will begin with a salute from Umuezutu clan, home to the oldest man in Ikem Uno, and will proceed sequentially through the remaining clans.
Following the gun salute, indigenes and guests will visit the palace bearing kegs of palm wine and other gifts, in accordance with customary royal homage. The day’s activities will be officially inaugurated by His Royal Majesty, Igwe Samuel Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi) of Edem-Ani, and Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.
Highlights for the first day will include a youth football competition among the clans and the formal handover of motorcycles, generously donated by notable sons of the community, to the local vigilante group ahead of the 4:00 p.m. final match.
The week-long schedule will continue with day two featuring a colloquium on security, community surveillance, and youth drug abuse, while day three will celebrate the Igwe’s elevation as chairman of the Isi Uzo Local Government Traditional Rulers’ Council. Days four and five will be set aside for sundry cabinet activities and continued royal visits, culminating on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, with the grand finale honoring distinguished sons, daughters, and friends of Ikem Uno.
This year’s Ofala festival will not only commemorate Igwe Ogbodo’s enduring reign but will also reinforce the community’s cultural heritage and collective unity.