Igwe Achebe Hails Globacom for 15-Year Support for Ofala Festival

The Obi of Onitsha says the telecommunications company has helped transform the traditional celebration into a globally recognised cultural event.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has commended Globacom for its 15 consecutive years of support for the Ofala Festival, describing the partnership as instrumental to the preservation and international promotion of the kingdom’s cultural heritage.

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Achebe gave the commendation during the 2026 Ofala Festival on Friday, expressing appreciation to the telecommunications company for serving as the festival’s principal partner since 2011.

He said Globacom’s sustained sponsorship had helped transform Ofala from a traditional palace ceremony into a globally recognised cultural celebration while preserving its authenticity and historical significance.

According to the monarch, the partnership has strengthened the festival’s presentation, documentation, broadcast and international reach, enabling the cultural event to attract wider recognition beyond Nigeria.

“Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival. Since 2011, Globacom has stood with us as our principal partner – now fifteen consecutive years of unwavering commitment,” Achebe said.

He noted that the company had remained supportive during both favourable and challenging periods, helping to ensure that the traditions and values underpinning the Ofala Festival remained intact.

The traditional ruler also praised Globacom’s Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., for his commitment to promoting Nigerian culture and supporting initiatives that strengthen national identity and unity.

Achebe described Adenuga as a man who recognises the importance of cultural heritage, stressing that traditional festivals remain vital platforms for promoting shared values, unity and community development.

He explained that the theme of the 2026 edition, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” — meaning “Strive and Advance” — encourages hard work, excellence, self-improvement and collective progress.

According to him, the theme reflects the determination of the forebears who established the Onitsha kingdom along the River Niger and serves as a reminder to younger generations of their responsibility to preserve the kingdom’s heritage while pursuing progress and enterprise.

In his remarks, Adenuga reaffirmed Globacom’s commitment to the festival, describing the relationship with the Onitsha community as more than a corporate sponsorship arrangement.

“Our association with the Ofala Festival since 2011 has been much more than a corporate partnership. It has been a relationship which we cherish deeply and regard as a privilege,” he said.

The Globacom chairman thanked the monarch and the people of Onitsha for giving the company the opportunity to contribute to preserving and promoting the historic celebration.

He added that the partnership provided an opportunity to showcase the beauty, dignity and enduring values of the Ofala Festival to audiences across Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.

The 2026 celebration further highlights the role of partnerships between traditional institutions and the private sector in preserving cultural traditions, strengthening community identity and bringing Nigeria’s rich heritage to a global audience.

Globacom’s continued involvement in the Ofala Festival underscores the importance of sustained corporate support in ensuring that traditional celebrations remain relevant to younger generations while retaining their cultural significance.