The Ogidi PG (Civilian General)
By Akuma Ebere
Ogidi — The ancient town of Ogidi in Idemili North LGA, Anambra State, stood still as the much-anticipated Nwafor Ogidi youth carnival 2025 was held in spectacular fashion, drawing an impressive crowd of indigenes, visitors and cultural enthusiasts to the heart of the community.
The second edition of the now-annual festival, hosted at Ogidi town hall, witnessed the presence of His Royal Majesty, Pharm. Alex Onyido (Ezechuamagha of Ogidi Kingdom), the Chairman of Idemili North LGA, traditional leaders, age grades, community groups and non-indigenes all united in a vibrant show of unity and cultural pride.
Performing the kolanut ritual to open the celebration, Igwe Onyido declared the 2025 edition the best yet, citing its peaceful nature and absence of tragedy.
He commended the youth for their organizational excellence, prayed for the success of Ogidi community, and promised that next year’s top-performing masquerade will receive a special reward.
In his welcome address, Hon. Chris Obiokafor, President-General of Ogidi Youth Nigeria popularly known as Civilian General described Nwafor Ogidi as a sacred cultural rite observed every first Friday of July (Afor market day) to mark the end of the farming season, thank God for His blessings and seek abundant harvests.
“Today is not just a festival, it is a moment of collective pride, a celebration of our heritage, resilience, and shared identity, ”he said.
He applauded the leadership of Chief Hon. Okoye Ikwuka (Anumili), High Chief Emeka Nnabueze (Ajie Okpala Ogidi), Chief Ifeatu Obiokoye, Chief Chinedu Okoye and others for their steadfast moral, financial and physical support toward the festival’s success.
On youth development, Obiokafor unveiled an ambitious digital empowerment programme for Ogidi youths, with training opportunities in cybersecurity, ethical hacking, multimedia design, digital content creation, computer networking and entrepreneurship.
He credited the peaceful atmosphere of the 2025 celebration to the spiritual dedication of the community to God, initiated during his tenure, saying it broke the cycle of past tragedies that marred previous editions.
“We handed Ogidi to God and He has answered,” he declared.
Community leaders and guests, including Sir Onyinyechukwu Peter Nnacho, Mr. Chijioke Okafor, Chief Andrew Ofokansi, Barr. Dan Okoye, and Chief Ikwuka , praised the festival’s cultural relevance, describing it as a time of thanksgiving, reunion, and celebration of ancestral values. They also lauded Igwe Onyido as a unifying figure whose reign has ushered in peace, dignity, and cultural revival.
As traditional drums echoed and masquerades dazzled the crowd, Nwafor Ogidi 2025 stamped its mark as more than a festival , a living heritage of pride, peace and progress.
