The 2026 Globacom-sponsored Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, opened on Wednesday with a colourful youth carnival showcasing the town’s cultural heritage through traditional dances, street processions and fashion displays.
Organised by the Onitsha Ado Youth Council (OYC), the carnival featured cultural groups, including Otu Odu Onitsha, Egwu Odu and Agbalanze, whose members appeared in traditional regalia to celebrate the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.
A major attraction was the appearance of young participants dressed as prominent traditional rulers, including the Obi of Onitsha, the Oba of Benin and the Ooni of Ife.
Following the street procession through Inland Town, participants converged on the old Ime Obi along St Stephen Anglican Church Road for fashion parades and competitions among the various groups.
The festival continues with the Iru Ofala on Friday, October 16, and the Azu Ofala on Sunday, October 17.
Globacom will host a royal banquet in honour of Igwe Achebe on Wednesday, October 21, at Ime Obi, Onitsha. The celebrations will conclude with an Ofala Thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 25, at St Stephen’s Anglican Church.
In a statement, Globacom said its continued sponsorship of the festival reflected its commitment to promoting cultural heritage alongside technological advancement.
“Ofala is far more than an annual cultural celebration. It is a living expression of identity, continuity and collective aspiration,” the company said.
Globacom added that preserving cultural heritage and advancing society were complementary priorities in national development, aligning with its slogan, “Never Settle for Less.”
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