It was a home coming ceremony for Ndi Mkpunando-Otu, Aguleri in Anambra East Council Area as they rallied round their traditional ruler, Igwe Johnson Onyeaka-Mbanefo for his 2024 Ovala festival.

 

The Ovala festival which took place at Cornell Mike Attah Secondary School field, Mkpunando Otu, Aguleri was the traditional ruler’s second Ovala since he ascended the throne.

They also used the event to launch a sixty-million-naira tractor project that will be used by members of the community for commercial farming to ease the hardships caused by manual farming.

 

Tagged ‘Ovala Udo’, the festival attracted other traditional rulers from Omabala region, top government officials, members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Anambra East Council area as well as other dignitaries who came to join Ndi Mkpunando-Otu Aguleri to mark the event.

The event came to its climax when Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo in company of his wife, Ebelechukwu and members of his royal cabinet were ushered into the Ovala ground.

 

Breaking the kola nut, Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo said since he ascended the throne, enthronement of peace, development and unity of the community have been his vision as he has continued to seek for the betterment of his subjects.

He praised Governor Chukwuma Soludo for all the developmental projects going on in the state which he said they have benefited hugely from saying that the new General Hospital in Enugwu-Otu Aguleri, the electrification project for the rural community and provision of portable water are some of the important projects of the administration that will better their lives.

The Monarch also pleaded with him to consider constructing the Odene-Eziagulu-Mkpunando road and to support them with farm implements to boost agricultural activities in the community.

 

In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Power and Water Resources, Engineer Julius Chukwuemeka said he was elated by the relative peace and cordial relationship enthroned in Aguleri Otu and their neighboring communities championed by Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo and asked them to keep supporting Governor Soludo as he is the only Governor since the inception of the state that attended to many of their needs and promised them that the Governor will fulfill his promise to construct the road.

The President General of Aguleri Progressive Union, Barrister Ifeanyi Iloakasi who doubled as the Chairman of the 2024 Ovala Planning Committee, explained that Ovala festival is the highest celebration in their community and they rallied round their traditional ruler, Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo because of his peace-oriented leadership in the community and called on Ndi Aguleri in general to embrace peace.

 

For the Chairman, Mkpunando Otu Aguleri Cabinet, Chief Raphael Edeziogor-Ejoor, God blessed them with Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo as the community has not had it so good before as he prayed for a long reign of the monarch.

Igwe Onyeaka-Mbanefo also conferred chieftaincy titles on some individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of the community including Chiefs Alex Mmadukasi, Chidumebi Okonkwo and Mrs. Rose Ilochi.

 

Paying of homage, masquerading and other cultural activities were some of the highlights of the Ovala.