The people of Ogba Ethnic Nationality in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State both at home and in diaspora are now in festive and joyous mood following the proclamation of the 2021 annual Nchaka (Egwu-Ogba) festival for Ogba people by the 12th Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland, Oba Nwachuku Obuoha Nnam-Obi, III.
According to a press statement by the Media Officer of the Palace, Prince Charles Amadike-Otoboh, JP (Mmboh Krikri) this year’s Nchaka festival proclamation is so special and historic as it is the first Nchaka proclamation to be done by the new Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland, Barr. Nwachuku Obuoha Nnam-Obi III who ascended the Oba Eze-Ogba throne on Saturday 2nd October, 2021.
Accordingly, this year’s Nchaka festival calendar is as follows: (1) proclamation (Ekwe Nchaka), Saturday 13th November, 2021, (2) Nchaka Market (Ahia Egwu) Sunday 21st November, 2021, (3) Women Nchaka Day Wednesday 24th November, 2021 while the climax of the ancient festival (4) Men Nchaka will be celebrated on Sunday 28 th November, 2021in all towns and villages in Ogba Kingdom.
The 2021 Nchaka Traditional wrestling contest Days are as follows: Obakata communities Monday 29th November, Obieti communities Wednesday 1st December, Obosi communities Friday 3rd December, Obohia communities Sunday 5th December at their various play grounds in Omoku while the Egi, Igburu, and Usomini groups will have their days for the wrestling contest as may be fixed by their traditional Rulers, Chiefs, and community leaders.
Oba Nwachuku Nnam Obi III noted that if not that it is a taboo to postpone Nchaka festival, this year’s celebration would have been put off in honour of the departed immediate past Oba (Eze-Ogba) of Ogbaland, Sir (Dr) Chukumela Nnam Obi II, but other palace activities such as installation and confirmation of new community Ezes, revalidation of the palace chiefs as well as family and honorary Chiefs etc are put on hold till next year and urged those concerned to take note.
Addressing Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Community leaders, Elders, Tourists, The Media, Opinion leaders, Youths and Women leaders, Security agencies, Cultural groups and afro-religious devotes in his palace at Omoku on Saturday13th November, 2021 to proclaim this year’s Nchaka Egwu Ogba Festival.
According to the Oba Eze Ogba, As Ogba tradition and customs demands starting from the date of the Nchaka festival proclamation to the end of Traditional wrestling, all burial ceremonies, wearing of mourning dresses, enmity, quarrelling or fighting are banned, rather a period of reconciliations, forgiveness, folklores, merriments, exchange of gifts, cultural exhibitions, families, clubs, streets, villages and age grades carnivals, musical extravaganzas and communities annual town hall meetings.
He admonished Ogba people and residents in the kingdom to celebrate the festival with the pervading spirit of love, brotherliness and togetherness and charged traditional rulers, chiefs, community leaders and the elites to ensure the maintenance of peace and order in their various communities during and after the celebration and warned the youths against the shooting of fire arms or knock outs in realization of inherent danger of such fireworks to lives and properties.
The Ogba Monarch disclosed that the annual Nchaka festival which is for all believers including Christians, Muslims and Traditionalists marks the end of the Ogba Traditional calendar year to herald the beginning of a new season, behoves Ogba people both home and in diaspora, to eschew greed, hatred, mischief, violence and self-destruction and warned against unruly behavior including display of harmful and diabolical objects in the name of Nchaka during the festival period.
Responding, the Onu-Eze Ka Oba Eze-ogba, High Chief Azubuike Osiagor who led Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Elders, opinion leaders, cultural groups and Religious leaders, the political class, youths, women and security agencies to Omoku main market to convey the Oba’s Nchaka proclamation message, commended the Ogba monarch, Barr. Nwachuku Obuoha Nnam Obi III for effective and successful unveiling of 2021 Nchaka festival proclamation despite being new on the throne and promised that Ogba people will join hands to ensure a peaceful Nchaka celebration.
It would be recalled that as Ogba tradition demands in respect of Nchaka festival, chiefs and Elders of Umu Ebe (Edihuru) Royal family from all Ogba towns and villages had earlier met in Oba Okoya memorial Hall in Oba’s palace, Omoku a forth night ago where they fixed and forwarded the dates of the 2021 annual ancient Nchaka festival to Ogba Divisional Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs for their ratification and formal proclamation.
As at the time of filing this report, houses, roads and streets in all major towns and communities in ONELGA have started wearing new looks preparatory to the celebration of the 2021 Ancient Nchaka (Egwu Ogba) Festival.
