UNIVERSITY, TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS COLLABORATION
25th Ofala: UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bond Anyaehie pays homage to Obi of Onitsha
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Professor Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, on Friday, 16th Octoober, 2026, paid homage the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbogidi,) on the monarch’s 25th Ofala Festival.
The homage at the royal palace, Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, brought together the university community and the traditional institution in a celebration of culture, heritage and mutual respect.
During the visit, Professor Anyaehie presented gifts, including a ram, to the revered monarch as a gesture of goodwill, solidarity and respect for the Onitsha traditional institution.
The presentation reflected the cultural values and customs associated with the Ofala Festival, while underscoring the importance of fostering cordial relationships between higher educational institutions and traditional authorities.
Speaking on the significance of the Ofala Festival and the personality of the revered Monarch, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anyaehie described Ofala Onitsha as a great centuries old royal celebration that marks the annual emergence of the Obi of Onitsha from seclusion, symbolizing spiritual renewal, community unity and preservation of Igbo heritage.
He described the Obi of Onitsha as courageous leader, wisdom-personified and an elder statesman whom humanity continues to benefit immensely from his loaded background and impeccable character.
The Vice Chancellor conveyed the best wishes of the university community to Agbogidi and prayed that he would continue to prosper in good health and strength on the throne for many years to come.
The Ofala Festival is one of the most significant cultural celebrations of the Onitsha people. It honours the Obi of Onitsha and provides an avenue for showcasing the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, customs and traditions.
The annual celebration attracts traditional rulers, government officials, community leaders and other distinguished guests, who gather to pay homage to the monarch and celebrate the enduring cultural identity of the Onitsha Kingdom.
Beyond its ceremonial significance, the festival serves as a platform for promoting unity, strengthening communal bonds and preserving the customs and traditions handed down through generations.
The Onitsha monarchy, whose ancestral heritage is traditionally associated with Ezechima, remains an enduring symbol of the kingdom’s history, identity and traditional leadership. Through the Ofala Festival, the people reaffirm their connection to this heritage and celebrate the continuity of the revered institution.
Professor Anyaehie’s homage further underscores the importance of cultural engagement and collaboration between the university and traditional institutions in Anambra State. Such interactions provide opportunities to strengthen community relations, promote mutual understanding and reinforce the role of cultural heritage in national development.
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