Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, has credited Nigeria’s digital transformation leader, Globacom, with bringing a lot of innovations to the annual Ofala Festival.
The Obi of Onitsha who spoke at the 2019 edition of the Onitsha Ofala Festival, sponsored by Globacom, said the involvement of the telecommunications company in the festival since 2011 had made a huge difference in the annual festival.
The monarch said the festival had become a huge tourist event owing to the support from Globacom, which had not only provided financial muscle for the improvement of the festival, but had also consistently suggested enhancements.
He stated that the company, for instance, had remained the sole sponsor of the Oreze International Arts Exhibition which had tremendously enlivened the festival. The Oreze International Arts Exhibition was introduced to the celebrations seven years ago and over 4,000 artists have so far exhibited their works at the forum.
Igwe Achebe expressed delight that the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation had endorsed Ofala as a major festival in Nigeria, adding that the National Gallery of Arts had also provided support for the Oreze Arts Exhibition.
“To us, ndi Onicha, we are encouraged and energised by the knowledge that our kingdom is moving forward through our collective efforts”, he enthused.
Mr. Noel Udeme, Globacom’s Regional Activation Manager, South East 2, in a chat with journalists at the palace of the Obi of Onitsha, said Globacom’s consistent sponsorship of the festival for the past nine years was a testament to the love the company had for Onitsha, its people and their culture.
“Being a wholly Nigerian company, Globacom has contributed more to the promotion of the culture and values of the people of Nigeria, more than any other corporate organisation. We are not relenting in our efforts at promoting what makes us who we are as a people. Our culture is our life and that is the driving force behind the Glo Heritage Series, the platform we are using to support Ofala festival and other major festivals across the country”, he added.
Another main part of the festival called Azu Ofala holds on Saturday, while the festivities will be rounded off on Monday with a royal banquet bankrolled by Globacom in honour of the Obi of Onitsha.