General
Obi of Onitsha marks 20 years on throne with Ofala festival
His Royal Highness (HRH) Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, the Commercial capital of Anambra has clocked 20 years on the throne and is set to celebrate with the Ofala Festival.
Chief Mike Areh, Chairman of the 2022 Onitsha Ofala Festival Steering Committee, disclosed this at a news conference at Ime-Obi palace, Onitsha on Thursday.
Areh said the festival would hold at Ime-Obi, Onitsha on Oct. 21 with Ofala Youth Carnival while other events would take place on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23 with the ‘Iru Ofala’ and ‘Azu Ofala’ respectively.
The carnival which would be organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council would showcase the rich cultural heritage of Onitsha.
He said the Ofala was a special celebration where the traditional ruler feasts with his subjects after his emergence from seclusion, during which period he had successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom.
According to him, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, Obi of Onitsha will also use the occasion of the Ofala to commemorate his 20th anniversary as monarch with thanksgiving.
“He ascended the throne of Ezechima 20 years ago on May 14, 2002, which coincidentally was his 61st birthday.
“The Ofala is the high point of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. The Obi of Onitsha is the celebrant of this spectacle which is rooted in deep spirituality; it is an occasion for the monarch to fulfil certain obligations.
“It is also a re-enactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his subjects, at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and a valuable source of food,” he said.
Areh said the Ofala festival was sponsored by Globacom, the telecoms giant and lucky subscribers would stand a chance to win gifts in a special Ofala promo.
He said the Oraeze Arts Series, a group art exhibition promoted by His Majesty’s Chimedie Museum Trust Foundation would also take place with no fewer than 120 artists participating.
“It is also an avenue for multi-talented and well-established artists from various parts of the world to exhibit their works, at least 120 artists will be exhibiting their works at Oreze VIII.
“A Royal banquet organised by Globacom in honour of the Obi would hold on Oct. 26 at Dolly Hills Onitsha and there will be Ofala thanksgiving at St. Stephens Anglican Church on Oct. 30,” he said.
Speaking on the sponsorship deal, Mr Mike Ehunadu, Regional Manager, Globacom, Enugu Zone said the partnership with the Onitsha Traditional Council had been since 2011.
Ehumadu said the company was working towards making the festival attain the status of a major event in Nigeria, and by extension in the West African cultural/tourism calendar.
He said the Telecoms giant was pleased to associate with the Ofala and in the spirit had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Onitsha
“Aside from hosting the royal banquet, we will be empowering the people of Onitsha with gifts that will impact their lives.
“Lucky subscribers will have an opportunity to win two tricycles, five sewing machines and five grinding mills in our special Ofala promo,” he said.
The organisers said Ofala had been endorsed by the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, the apex tourism Regulatory Agency in the country as a major Nigerian Festival.
(NAN)
Obi of Onitsha marks 20 years on throne with Ofala festival
Education
FG harps on skills acquisition, education for women in detention
The Federal Government, on Tuesday, emphasised the critical role of skills acquisition and education in the rehabilitation of women in detention.
Minister of State for Education, Dr Suwaiba Ahmad, stated this at “the Women in Detention Workshop”, organised by Prison Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised to mark PRAWA’s 30th anniversary.
Ahmad, who stressed the need for addressing the needs and rehabilitation of women in detention, said that such women must be equipped with adequate skills for self-reliance.
“This gathering reflects our shared resolve to ensure that even within the four walls of correctional facilities, women are afforded the dignity, support and opportunities necessary to rebuild their lives.
“Education, both formal and informal, is central to the transformative power of rehabilitation. It is not merely a tool for personal development but a lifeline that can open doors for reintegration and independence.
“For women in detention, education is a pathway to self-discovery, self-reliance and the restoration of hope. Beyond education, skills acquisition is a critical component of rehabilitation.
“Many women in detention face economic hardship and social exclusion which often perpetuate cycles of criminality,” she said.
Ahmad said that by equipping them with skills relevant to their communities and marketable in today’s economy, such women would be empowered to return to society as productive and self-reliant individuals.
Ahmad further said: “Rehabilitation and reintegration are not acts of charity; they are investments in humanity.
“By prioritising the education, skill acquisition and special needs of women in detention, we create a society that values second chance and upholds the dignity of every individual,’’ the minister said.
Earlier, the Executive Director of PRAWA, Dr Uju Agomoh, said the organisation, a CSO, was established in 1994 to promote security, justice and development in Africa.
She also said that the event was designed to tackle the broader issues of prison conditions as well as human rights violations and rehabilitation.
“One key initiative is training health workers and legal professionals on how to document and address torture cases, focusing on the internationally-recognised `Istanbul Protocol’.
“In addition, PRAWA is working closely with Nigerian universities, including University of Lagos, University of Abuja and several others.
“This is to introduce paralegal training programmes that will empower students to assist in legal and human rights efforts within the criminal justice system,” Agomoh said.
Africa
Customs hands over illicit drugs worth N117.59m to NDLEA
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun Area 1 Command, has handed over illicit drugs worth N117.59 million to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The Comptroller of the command, Mr James Ojo, disclosed this during the handing over of the drugs to Mr Olusegun Adeyeye, the Commander of NDLEA, Idiroko Special Area Command, in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Friday.
Ojo said the customs handed over the seized cannabis and tramadol tablets to the Idiroko Special Command for further investigation in line with the standard operating procedures and inter-agency collaboration.
He said the illicit drugs were seized in various strategic locations between January and November 21, 2024, in Ogun State.
He added that the illicit drugs were abandoned at various locations, including the Abeokuta axis, the Agbawo/Igankoto area of Yewa North Local Government Area, and Imeko Afton axis.
Ojo said that the seizure of the cannabis sativa and tramaling tablets, another brand of tramadol, was made possible through credible intelligence and strategic operations of the customs personnel.
“The successful interception of these dangerous substances would not have been possible without the robust collaboration and support from our intelligence units, local informants and sister agencies.
“These landmark operations are testament to the unwavering dedication of the NCS to safeguard the health and well-being of our citizens and uphold the rule of law,” he said.
He said the seizures comprised 403 sacks and 6,504 parcels, weighing 7,217.7 kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each, with a total Duty Paid Value of N117,587,405,00.
He described the height of illicit drugs smuggling in the recent time as worrisome.
This, he said, underscores the severity of drug trafficking within the borders.
“Between Oct. 13 and Nov. 12 alone, operatives intercepted a total of 1,373 parcels of cannabis sativa, weighing 1,337kg and 362 packs of tramaling tablets of 225mg each,” he said.
Ojo said the seizures had disrupted the supply chain of illicit drugs, thereby mitigating the risks those substances posed to the youth, families and communities.
He lauded the synergy between its command, security agencies and other stakeholders that led to the remarkable achievements.
Ojo also commended the Comptroller General of NCS for creating an enabling environment for the command to achieve the success.
Responding, Adeyeye, applauded the customs for achieving the feat.
Adeyeye pledged to continue to collaborate with the customs to fight against illicit trade and drug trafficking in the state.
Economy
Customs intercepts N30m worth of PMS in Operation Whirlwind
The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Friday said that it had intercepted 849 kegs of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), worth over N30 million in retail price from Operation Whirlwind.
The Comptroller of Customs, Hussein Ejibunu, made this known during a news conference in Ikeja.
“Today, we have another seizure of 849 kegs of PMS containing 25 litres each. This translates to 30,225 litres with duty paid value at N30.225 million only at the NNPCL retail price.
“Today marks yet another success recorded by the operatives of Operation Whirlwind, Zone “A” Lagos/Ogun Axis.
“About five weeks ago, same PMS products were displayed before you here on the parade ground of the college where several seizures were made,” Ejibunu said.
“On this note, we wish to thank the National Security Adviser and the Comptroller-General of Customs for their unwavering support,” Ejibunu said.
The coordinator of the Operation Whirlwind said that two vehicles of means of conveyance were intercepted along with the seizures.
Ejibunu said that they evacuated 80 Jerry Cans each from a vehicle.
He assured the public that Operation Whirlwind remains steadfast in its efforts to clamp down on PMS smugglers, ensuring no room for their illegal activities nationwide.
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