Admin I Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026
LAGOS, Nigeria – Globacom-sponsored Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, kicked off on Wednesday with a vibrant Youth Carnival organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council (OYC), showcasing the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the ancient kingdom.
The colourful procession featured various cultural groups, including Otu Odu Onitsha, Egwu Odu and Agbalanze, whose members adorned themselves in elaborate traditional attire as they danced through the streets of Inland Town in honour of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe.
The carnival provided a platform for the younger generation to celebrate their cultural identity, promote Onitsha’s indigenous traditions and demonstrate their commitment to preserving the kingdom’s heritage.
One of the major attractions was the appearance of young participants dressed in impressive costumes depicting prominent traditional rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha, the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife. The displays added colour and grandeur to the procession, highlighting the enduring appeal of traditional institutions among the youth.
Following the street procession, the participants converged on the old Ime Obi along St. Stephen Anglican Church Road, Onitsha, for fashion parades and various competitions among the participating groups.
The Youth Carnival marks the beginning of a series of activities lined up for the annual Ofala Festival, which celebrates the rich history, cultural identity and traditional institution of the Onitsha people.
The celebrations will continue with the Iru Ofala on Friday, October 16, and the Azu Ofala on Saturday, October 17 while a Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of Igwe Achebe is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21, at the Ime Obi, Onitsha.
The festival will conclude with an Ofala Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, October 25, at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church.
The digital solutions provider, in a statement, said its continued sponsorship of the festival reflects its commitment to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage while supporting the country’s broader development aspirations.
It noted further that culture and connectivity were complementary forces capable of advancing national development, adding that its partnership with the historic festival was rooted in the belief that cultural preservation and societal progress should go hand in hand.
According to Globacom, “Ofala is far more than an annual cultural celebration. It is a living expression of identity, continuity and collective aspiration.”
The company added that its sustained association with the festival demonstrated its conviction that preserving the nation’s heritage and advancing society were mutually reinforcing pillars of national progress.
“This is the spirit of Globacom’s clarion call, ‘Never Settle for Less’, which is to honour what is worthy, while continually striving for something greater,” the statement added.