FIRST OFALA / IRIJI FESTIVAL:. EZE NICHOLAS PAINTS EJIGBO AND ENVIRONS RED ( PHOTO NEWS)

FIRST OFALA / IRIJI FESTIVAL:. EZE NICHOLAS PAINTS EJIGBO  AND ENVIRONS RED  ( PHOTO NEWS) 

By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel 

 The 30th of September, 2023 remain a memory to behold in the lives of  Ejigbo Igbo speaking community  under Oshodi isolo LG area of Lagos state as EZE AMB.  NICHOLAS EMENIKE NJOKU  ( Eziokwu Bu Ndu 1 )  celebrated first Ofala/ Iriji Yam festival.

To many sons of the soil ( NDIGBO)  that spoke with INSIGHT GLOBAL NEWS Editor ofala/ Iriji festival is an inherited festival of ages which no civilization can eradicate as the Chairman of the occasion Prince Hilary Ugochikwu fondly called Ugo Sly defined it as the celebration of mankind ( The Igbos) which made all indigenes to respect and honour their culture and traditions.  

Hon. Jude Omobowale Idimogwu forrmer member LSHA who was present with his amiable wife Mrs Eniitan Idimogu defined Iriji festival as a festival of given back to the gods of the land that provides yam for all consumption, he confessed Iriji as an inheritance culture  of generation to generation . 

The chairman planning committee could not but call the festival a very unique one where the Igbos celebrates Yam the king of Ndigbo's food which is the chief harvest of all farm products.

Eze CC NWOKEDI of NDIGBO Ijegun/ Ijedodo community in Ikotun area.of Lagos state as well as the incumbent chairman Lagos  council of EZEs rounded it up by defining Ofala/ Iriji Yam festival  as a powerful  Igbo culture celebrated  across the globe   which Ndigbo is allowed to eat yam.after the King ( Eze) might have  sanctified  it with prayers as EZE NWOKEDI prayed for longevity and more celebration of New Yam festival of the host Eze NICHOLAS  whom he called a very factual , blunt  person.

Ejigbo Ndigbo Ofala, Iriji first Yam  festival  was with lots  of activities as EZE Nicholas who accended the throne after the demise of Eze M. C Okoro was earlier decorated as the patron of Ejigbo Boys Scouts paramilitary forces, as he  also added chiefs to his existing cabinets among which was  Barrister. Charles Onyealkwu as  Eziaku - Kanma 1 of Lagos state  with the consent and presentation of  certificate by Chief. Sunday Udeh , President Gen. Igbo speaking com. in Lagos state. 

 Among dignitaries and sons of the soil (NDIGBO )who honoured Eze Nicholas Ofala Iriji Yam festival was Eze CC NWOKEDI of Ijegun/ Ijedodo and  Ugoeze Tessy Nwokedi, Eze  Monday  Lawrence of Odiolowo/ Mushin LG and  Ugoeze Yemisi  Obijiogu,  Eze Jude Arinze of Amuwo - Odofin , lots of EZEs  home and abroad too numerous to mention , representative of Oba Ojoola , The OJON of Ejigbo as security operatives were  in attendance to safeguard lives and properties.