Igwe (Sir) Raphael N. Offor
Igwe (Sir) Raphael N. Offor, KSM, JP, AMB. P breaks bold ground as he celebrates Ofala on 31 st
December. 2023. He was crowned Ide II of Omogho in November 2005, having been the regent from
1993 to 2005. He succeeded the first traditional ruler of Omogho, H.R.H Igwe J. M. Anyanechi, who
reigned from 1967 until he joined his ancestors in 1993. The first Ofala of Igwe (Sir) Raphael N. Offor
was held in December 2017, and his second Ofala is billed for 31 st December 2023 at Igwe’s Palace,
Isiamehi village, Omogho.
Igwe Raphael Offor has brought profound peace and prosperity to bear on Omogho, one of the ancient
settlements of Enugwu-uno towns in Orumba North and South Local Government Areas of Anambra
State. Located in the valley-cum-basin between Oko/Amaokpala and Ufuma along the Ekwulobia-
Umunze Federal High-way in old Aguata Local Government Area, Omogho was founded by the
eponymous man named Omogho who migrated from Igala Kingdom, now in Benue State, circa 1510
AD. Omogho is an agrarian community richly blessed with arable land and natural resources.
It has been a crowning glory for Igwe Raphael Offor to lead Omogho into resounding modernity. Born
on 1 st September, 1938 to the family of late Mr. Offor Nwangwu and Mrs. Enyidie Euphemia
Nwangwu of Umu-nwangwu quarter of Omegwala ward, Isiamehi village of Omogho town in Orumba
North L.G.A, Igwe Offor started out from humble beginnings before becoming today’s towering
personality. He remarkably passed the landmark Standard VI exam in 1952, and ranked among the
very few people in Omogho to achieve the feat.
However, no thanks to financial constraint with which to further his education, young Raphael was sent by his family to learn trading in Shinkafi in present- day Zamfara State. On completion of his apprenticeship two years after, his master settled him amicably. It was then the future Igwe relocated to Oturkpo in Benue State to look for greener pastures.
In 1957, he was offered temporary appointment in Aguata County Council and later, in 1962, he was
offered a permanent appointment as a clerk/typist in Orumba County Council. He was later promoted
to the post of Secretary/Co-ordinator Local Government Unit and Executive Officer in charge of
Awka Town Planning Authority in Awka Local Government. In that capacity, he supervised the
design of the present Eke Amawbia.
He then passed his General Certificate of Education (G.C.E) exam and got admission to the University
of Nigeria, Nsukka where he obtained Diploma in Local Government Administration in 1985. This
earned him promotion to higher posts such as Senior Executive Officer (1985-1992), Principal
Personnel Officer (1993-1998) in different Local Government Councils and he retired on the 1 st of
September 1998 with good records and a good name.
After retirement, he was appointed and served as Ajalli Customary Court Judge from 1 st April 1999 to
31 st August 2000.
He got married to Lolo Monica Nwaanyibunwa Offor, nee Okoli, of Umunaba Village, Omogho in
1964 and the marriage is blessed with eight lovely children, made up of seven females and one male,
all doing very well in their various professions and vocations.
A champion of community development, he secured appointments for about 27 indigenes of Omogho
in different levels of Government.
The offices he held with uncommon distinction prior to becoming Igwe included: Palace Secretary,
Igwe’s Cabinet, Omogho (1976-31 st August 1993); Secretary-General, Omogho Patriotic Union (1982-
1992); Vice-Chairman, Omogho Patriotic Union (1993-1996); Regent, Omogho Community (1 st
September 1993-2005); Treasurer, Omoogho Rural Electrification Project (1991-2003); Member,
Justice of Peace (30 th November 1990-date).
A devout Catholic, Igwe Offor has served the church in the following capacities: Member, Knight of
St. Mulumba, Nigeria (1992-date); Secretary, Queen of Peace Sub-Council, Ekwulobia (1998- 2005);
Vice-Chairman, St. Pius Catholic Parish, Omogho; Chairman, Akpu Denary Laity Council; Patron,
Awka Diocesan C.W.O, and many others.
Igwe Offor was one of the elite personages who championed the establishment of Community
Secondary School, Omogho. He was equally instrumental in Omogho Electrification Project and the
elevation of St. Pius Catholic Church, Omogho to the level of a Parish.
It needs reiteration that Omogho has enjoyed tremendous peace and prosperity since his reign and
shared mutual amity with her neighbours. He has given unalloyed support to the Anambra State
Government and in return the Government has extended many democracy dividends to the Omogho
community.
Igwe Raphael Offor’s 2023 Ofala programme is indeed star-studded and grand with Anambra State
Governor, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo (CFR) as Special Guest of Honour.
The Ofala ceremony starts in earnest with a 10.00am Pontifical High Mass to be officiated by His
Eminence Peter Cardinal Ebere Okpalaeke, Bishop of Ekwulobia Catholic Diocese.
Conferment of Chieftaincy Title to deserving indigenes and non-indigenes who have made significant
contributions to the development of Omogho will take pride of place in the Ofala celebrations.
The various villages will pay homage to Igwe (Sir) Raphael N. Offor, KSM, JP, AMB. P.
