By joshua 
Ebonyi: Nkalaha Community Displays Rich Cultural Heritage, Honors Distinguished personalities
— Preaches, Peace, Unity
By Agbo Emmanuel, Abakaliki
The people of Nkalaha Autonomous Community have displayed their rich cultural heritage as the traditional ruler of the Community Eze Thompson Ebeh observed his maiden ofala and Nkalaha day festival.
The event which held at Amaezegba group school, Nkalaha in Ishielu Local Government Area of the State, was used to give Chieftaincy titles to some deserving individuals for rendering selfless services to humanity and Community development.
Speaking at the event, the traditional ruler of Ibeagwa Autonomous Community, Enugu State, Eze Emmanuel Ugwu while giving his Royal blessings to the traditional ruler of Nkalaha and the land of Nkalaha declared total progress, prosperity, peace and unity amongst the people of the Community.
Eze Ugwu applauded the Community’s traditional ruler for all the good things he has been doing in the area especially in the area of peace and security and urged him to sustain it while praying God to reward him accordingly.
He called on the people of the Community to support the peace initiative of the traditional ruler and coexist among one another as no meaningful development would be achieved in the atmosphere of rancour and acrimony.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for budget and planning in Ebonyi State Hon. Mrs Chinwe Okah noted that Ofala celebration marks an expression of unity, love, oneness of the people of the Community.
She commended the traditional ruler and elders of the Community for sustaining their rich cultural heritage.
On his part, the traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community, Eze Thompson Ebeh emphasized that Ofala festival is a time of thanksgiving, purification, blessings, cultural expression and honoring individuals who have served the Community with distinctions.
The traditional commended Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for his impactful leadership and for restoring the glory of Nkalaha Community through giving him staff of office as the traditional ruler of the Community and assured of their unflinching support, loyalty and solidarity to his administration.
Eze Ebeh vowed to ensure peace in all the nooks and crannies of the Community and called all and sundry to join hands with his peace initiative for the progress and development of the Community.
Earlier, the chairman of the central planning committee, Chief Paul Ebeh said the essence of the Ofala celebration was to improve on the unity of Nkalaha people, share love and further give value to the Community’s cultural heritage
He stressed the need for the sustenance of Ofala festival and shouldn’t be allowed it to go into extinction.
Some of the awardees of Chieftaincy titles including Chief Paul Egah, Chief Ben Okah, Onwe Ali Onwe and Mrs Wilfred Odoh extolled the traditional ruler of Nkalaha Community for the honor done to them and promised to consolidate on their services to humanity.
The event climaxed with car and cash gift presentation to Eze Thompson Ebeh by the traditional ruler of Ibeagwa Autonomous Community, Eze Emmanuel Ugwu.