Last Friday, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, marked his 23rd Ofala Festival, a celebration of Onitsha’s rich cultural heritage and tradition.
Known for his steadfast leadership, Igwe Achebe continues to guide the Onitsha Kingdom toward growth, despite Nigeria’s ongoing challenges.
In his 2024 Ofala message, themed “Courage, Perseverance, Self-Reliance” (translated to Igbo as “Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe”), the monarch voiced grave concerns about the nation’s worsening economic conditions and rising insecurity. He emphasized that the combined effects of these issues have led to soaring living costs, widespread business closures, mass unemployment, and a growing sense of hopelessness and distrust in the government.
Reflecting on last year’s Ofala, Igwe Achebe recalled his warning about post-election uncertainties, continued insecurity, and the removal of the fuel subsidy. Sadly, he noted that conditions had only worsened, with the August 2024 protests against poor governance underscoring the deepening crisis.
The Obi expressed frustration over the federal government’s rejection of proposals aimed at revitalizing Nigeria. These proposals included devolving power, reducing government size, addressing interconnected issues like insecurity and agriculture, and finding ways to alleviate the impact of fuel price hikes. He also condemned the corruption and extravagant lifestyles of political leaders, which continue to fuel bad governance.
Igwe Achebe called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to engage with alternative perspectives and urgently convene a non-partisan national economic and security summit to chart a collective path forward.
The monarch also highlighted the severe social and economic toll on the Ndigbo people, who have been terrorized by unknown gunmen. The violence, including killings, kidnappings, and disruptions, has forced schools, markets, and public services to shut down every Monday due to the enforced sit-at-home order.
