The Ibagwa-Nike kingdom in Enugu East Local Government Area of Enugu State held its annual Ofala festival in a grand celebration that brought together dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond. The event, themed Culture of National Integration, spanned December 4 to 10 and featured cultural displays, including masquerade parades, women’s dances, and age-grade activities. The event culminated on December 9 with an impressive lineup of esteemed guests, including the Attah of Igala, Prof. Matthew Opaluwa, Minister of Science and Technology Uche Nnaji, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, and the Sarkin Hausawa of Enugu, Alhaji Haruna Suleiman.
One of the festival’s highlights was the conferment of chieftaincy titles on individuals recognized for their contributions to peace and development. His Royal Highness, Igwe Emmanuel Ugwu, bestowed the honorary title of Chinetugo 1 of Ibagwa-Nike Kingdom upon Robert Dickerman, Managing Director of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited and former MD/CEO of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company. Ugwu lauded Dickerman for his efforts toward peace and humanitarian contributions within Nigerian communities, highlighting his commitment to sustainable development.
Expressing gratitude, Dickerman described the honor as a meaningful recognition of his years spent in Nigeria. He commended Igwe Ugwu’s leadership, praising his vision for promoting unity across ethnic and cultural divides and encouraging other leaders to adopt similar inclusive approaches. He noted, “A lot of leaders can learn from the leadership of this royal father. You can really build bridges and create peace.”
Dickerman used the occasion to call for a global ceasefire, urging nations to intervene in conflicts like those between Israel and Hamas and Russia and Ukraine. Describing these as two of the “worst disastrous wars in history,” he emphasized the need for international cooperation to end hostilities and restore peace.
The Ofala festival of Ibagwa-Nike has continued to serve as a unique cultural platform for fostering national unity, with Igwe Ugwu’s commitment to cross-cultural harmony drawing admiration from many.
