Obi of Onitsha Credits Glo for Ofala’s Global Reach  

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, has praised Globacom for its role in raising the profile of Ofala Festival and taking the cultural celebration to a global audience.

For fifteen consecutive years, Globacom has served as the festival’s principal sponsor, supporting its growth from a palace tradition into a widely recognized cultural event.

Speaking at the 2026 edition of Ofala at Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, the monarch thanked the telecommunications company for its continued support and commitment to the festival.

He said the partnership had played a major role in the festival’s growth. “Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival owes a great deal to purposeful partnership. Since 2011, Globacom has stood with us as our principal partner – now fifteen consecutive years of unwavering commitment”, Agbogidi said, adding that “in good times and challenging times, Globacom has helped us preserve the authenticity of Ofala while enhancing its presentation, documentation, broadcast and global reach. They have helped take a living heritage to the global stage”.

Achebe also commended Globacom’s Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., for his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage. In his words: “I thank Globacom and its Chairman, Otunba (Dr) Mike Adenuga, Jr., GCON, a true man of culture, for his vision and belief that culture is not a luxury but a foundation for unity”, Achebe stated.

This year’s theme, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” – Strive and Advance – highlights the importance of hard work, excellence, self-improvement and collective progress. The Obi described it as “a call to industry, to excellence, to self-improvement and to collective progress. It reflects the spirit of our forebears who built a kingdom on the Niger, and it speaks to our youth who must carry that heritage forward with enterprise and purpose”.

Delivering his goodwill message to the Obi and the people of Onitsha, Globacom Chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga, said, “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 thanked the Obi for giving Globacom the opportunity to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Onitsha’s cultural heritage. Dr. Adenuga said, “It gives us great satisfaction to join Your Majesty and the people of Onitsha each year in showcasing to Nigeria, Africa and the wider world the beauty, dignity and enduring values represented by Ofala,” reaffirming the company’s commitment to celebrating the kingdom’s rich traditions.