The 2023 Ofala festival of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Kenneth Orizu III, the traditional ruler of Nnewi to mark his 60th year as a monarch and 98 birthday witnessed conferment of chieftaincy titles to many illustrious sons and daughters of the industrial community including the wife of a notable industrialist in Nnewi, Mrs Favour Chika Okafor.
The event attracted distinguished personalities within and outside Anambra State.
Among the dignitaries were former presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP) in 2023 presidential election, Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Enugu state, Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former female Governor of Anambra State, Dame Virgy Etiaba; the Chief Medical Director of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Prof Joseph Ugboaja; the Chief Executive Officer of Chikason Group, Chief Dr Alexander Chika Okafor whose wife is one of the personalities honoured; Chief George Muoghalu, among many others.
Mrs Okafor, an Engineer, is the Group Executive Director, Chikason Group and Executive Coordinator Rock Foundation for Widows ,Orphans and Less Privileged (ROFWOL)), a foundation she started 12 years ago to help the less privileged within the country and across the globe. She was conferred with the traditional title of Iyom Chibugo Nnewi (a traditional rite for honoring Igbo women after creditable service in life)
The Igwe Orizu 111 said that Engr Favour Okafor had shown her submissiveness in all ramifications which had proven her worthy to be conferred with the title “Iyom Chibugo Nnewi”.
While addressing the press, Engr. Okafor appreciated Igwe Orizu III, adjudged to be the longest reigning Monarch in Africa for honouring her with the title “Iyom Chibugo Nnewi”.
“The title is an assignment which is tasking. Greater responsibilities have been laid on me which are not things that I will just fold my hands to say I have been honoured and be tempted to relax. The title I have received means to give back to society and to maintain the honour bestowed on me, “she said.
Engr. Okafor disclosed that the title given to her was the highest honour a woman could get in Igboland.
She said that she had been of help to people secretly especially helping people with low esteem to upgrade and she had established a charitable organization which was basically for widows and children who are economically disadvantaged to receive education at least from primary to secondary school level.
She also disclosed that she had started a project of putting primary and secondary education online which must be free for all children.
On the side of widows, Chief Okafor said she had created awareness against cervical cancer which had killed many women that contacted it through sexual intercourse.
She revealed that the virus could be transmitted through sexual intercourse and advised women to be screened as the virus could be prevented.
Chief Okafor disclosed that the foundation was to help economically disadvantaged widows and girls to be screened by sourcing for funds from friends and supporters and even from government for vaccines to prevent this virus from spreading.
“I am prudent and conservative with resources,”she said
She urged people to get vaccinated, adding that from 9 to 14 years should go for the vaccine and even adults. She said she had been vaccinated, including her girls, saying that it was not harmful.
Engr Okafor revealed that she had received several recognition in her service to humanity from Nigerian Society of Engineers; Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers as well as American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Aside the corporate world, Engr Okafor is an inspirational speaker, a prolific writer with nine books to her credit. She preferred to be identified with the poor and downtrodden and happily married to Dr Alexander Chika Okafor the CEO of Chikason Group and blessed with six children.
