Connect with us

News

Igwe Ogbodo Honours Nkeiru Ogbodo-Falana At Ofala

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Ofala is an age-long festival usually celebrated by Igbo traditional rulers to re-establish their authorities over their kingdoms. It may be celebrated as an annual or biennial and in some cases triennial events.

It is also a moment of stocktaking and evaluation of individual and group contributions to the development of the community. The Igwe Engineer Okey Ogbodo, The Ezekwesili of Ikem Uno autonomous community in Isi Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State observed his 7th Ofala Festival to mark his 17th year on the throne.

The week-long festivity which began early morning on the 29th December 2025 with the traditional gun salutes by five ruling clans that make up the community was climaxed on January 3rd with the conferment of chieftaincy titles on deserving sons, daughters and friends of the community.

One of the recipients of the chieftaincy titles was an illustrious daughter of the soil, Chief Mrs Nkeiru Ogbodo-Falana who is married to an indigene of Abeokuta in Ogun State, southwest of Nigeria.

Advertisement

She was christened “Ugo Jerumba” which literarily translated as “Eagle who traveled to other land”. Igwe Ogbodo described her as an exemplary ambassador and bridge builder between the east and west.

Below is her abridged citation ;
Today, history records with honour and pride the conferment of the prestigious title Ugo Jeru Mba (Aka Ada Eji Eje Mba) I of Ikem on a distinguished daughter of the land, Chief Mrs. Regina Nkiru Akuabata Ogbodo-Falana.

She is a worthy daughter of Ogelegwu Village, Ikem, born into the noble family of the Late Mr. Christopher Ede Ogbodo Agbowalu, a man of integrity, discipline, and honour, renowned as one of the pace-setters of education in the then Nsukka Senatorial Zone. From him, she inherited dignity of character, love for knowledge, and service to humanity.

Chief Mrs. Regina Nkiru Ogbodo-Falana was nurtured in learning and excellence. She received her secondary education at Queen’s School Nsukka, proceeded to the University of Jos, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and further distinguished herself academically with a Postgraduate Diploma from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.

Advertisement

In service to the nation, she served diligently in the Ministry of Education and later at the federal level as a Research Officer with the National Council for Arts and Culture, under the Federal Ministry of Information. There, she contributed meaningfully to national development and collaborated with global institutions such as UNICEF and UNESCO, advocating against female genital mutilation, child labour, early child marriage, and in support of girl-child education.

She is a compassionate voice for the vulnerable, a defender of justice, equity, and fairness, and a woman whose heart remains firmly rooted in Ikem. A true grassroots mobiliser, she carries the pains, hopes, and aspirations of her people wherever she goes. Her vision is clear: an urbanised Ikem blessed with clean water, modern infrastructure, and sustainable development for present and future generations.

In marriage, she is fulfilled and blessed. In the year 2005, she was joined in holy matrimony to Mr. Oyebola Falana, and the union is blessed with twins—Oluwatomi Chinualumuogu and Oluwadamilola Chukwu Chetaram. In the United Kingdom, she continues her calling to service by working with the government within the Social Services sector.

On this auspicious occasion, she humbly acknowledges and honours His Royal Majesty, Engr. Okey Ogbodo, Ezekwesili I of Ikem, her kinsman by paternal and maternal lineage of the prestigious Nwachiewuakwu of Umuanywu, Ogor Village, and congratulates His Majesty on another glorious Ofala Festival.

Advertisement

For her character, achievements, service to humanity, love for Ikem, and worthy representation of womanhood and the community at large, His Royal Majesty and the good people of Ikem have found her deserving of this revered honour.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Blackout hits Abuja, Nasarawa, AEDC explains

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Abuja Electricity Distribution Company has announced an electricity outage in parts of the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State.

AEDC disclosed this in a notice on Wednesday.

The disco said the outage is due to a technical fault on the transmission company of Nigeria (TCN) 132kV Apo – Karu – line 1.

Consequently, bulk electricity supply has been disrupted in areas in Abuja and Nasarawa, including in Karu, Nyanya, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo, Karshi, Mararaba, Ado, New Nyanya, New Karu Uke, Masaka, Auta Balaifi, Keffi, Nasarawa Toto, Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon, and environs.

Advertisement

The disco, however, assured electricity restoration.

“The technical team of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) is currently working to restore power supply around 3:00 pm today, 10th June 2026.

“We regret the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience and understanding,” AEDC stated.

Daily Post

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Watch moment VP Shettima arrives at venue of commissioning of Arterial RN5 Obafemi Awolowo Way today

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Watch clip showing arrival of Vice President Kashim Shettima at the venue of the commissioning of the newly constructed Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) from Life Camp Junction to RR III, Dape District section.

#FCTProjects2026
#RenewedHopeFCT

Continue Reading

News

Red carpet reception for banned referee Artan on arrival in Somalia

Published

on

ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Zoom Ad

Referee Omar Artan has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup after arriving home in Somalia following his ban from entering the United States.

Hundreds of people gathered at the Mogadishu Airport to give a warm welcome to Omar Artan.

Some in the crowd carried banners with supportive slogans while others wore specially made hats bearing pictures of the referee, who has quickly become an icon in his homeland.

There were also social media celebrities who posed for photos with Artan and live-streamed the welcome on their platforms.

Advertisement

Amid the celebratory reception, there was also visible anger that the first Somali appointed as a World Cup referee had been denied entry to the United States.

The 34-year-old – Africa’s referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

No reason for his repatriation has been given by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

He arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday, landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu where he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents.

Advertisement

Artan is expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha.

“I’d like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I’ll get more support outside [the airport],” Artan said, translated into English by the BBC.

“Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu.

“I promise you that I’ll be officiating in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I’m letting you know.”

Advertisement

Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament.

However, his “dream” came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials’ base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before be was put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”

It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security.

Advertisement

Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.

Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.

“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything,” he said.

“They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”

Advertisement

He added that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and that the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country”.

On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia’s youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: “Let’s all defend Somalia’s honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it’s bad or good.

“That flag is ours and so is the passport – let’s defend it.

“The youth shouldn’t be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I’ll still stand for my nation.

Advertisement

“I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth to do the same.”

For his part, Artan was very happy with the welcome he received. The determined look on his face backed up the statements he has made about continuing his career and he told friends that he is ready to start training right away.

After the press conference, he was given a grand farewell. Thousands more people are expected to greet him at the Mogadishu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. Another hero’s welcome is on the cards.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 Naija Blitz News