Leonard Okachie
Umuchieze (Abia), Dec. 30, 2023 (NAN)
People of Leru, Umuchieze Community in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia on Saturday rolled out their drums to celebrate their annual cultural festival.
The event which held at Leru Secondary School playground attracted prominent individuals of the community from around the world, their neighbours, friends, associates and relations.
Many performances by different troupes and masquerades from Leru and neighbouring communities formed the centre of attraction at the well-attended festival.
Earlier in his remark, the President-General, Leru-Umuchieze Development Union, Mr Friday Ugwaka, said the festival had been a special event in promoting Igbo cultural heritage in the community.
According to him, the Ofala Festival which is celebrated every Dec. 30, showcases our culture in terms of dancing and traditional dishes so that our children who come home from cities during holidays can learn.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a non-governmental organisation, Ivy Care Foundation is donated foodstuffs, household items to indigent women and widows during the event.
In a speech, the Founder of the foundation, Dr Evangeline Ozonyiri, said that she has been reaching out to the indigent women, widows, the less privileged and the youths in the last five years during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Ozonyiri, who was given an award by the traditional ruler, Eze Elewechukwu Ogoke, for her positive contributions to the community, expressed gratitude and said it served as a motivation for her to do more.
NAN reports that the highpoint of the event was the conferment of chieftaincy titles and awards to 17 illustrious sons and daughters of Leru for their efforts in community development. (NAN)
