The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has applauded Globacom for its 15-year partnership with the Onitsha Kingdom, crediting the telecommunications company with helping elevate the Ofala Festival into a globally recognised cultural celebration.
Speaking at the 2026 edition of the festival at Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, the monarch praised Globacom for sustaining its sponsorship since 2011 and supporting efforts to preserve the festival’s authenticity while expanding its reach through improved presentation, documentation and broadcasting.
“Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival [and] 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,” Achebe said.
He noted that the company had remained supportive through favourable and challenging periods, helping to preserve the traditions of the Onitsha people while bringing their cultural heritage to wider audiences.
“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,” the monarch said.
Achebe also commended Globacom’s Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., for his commitment to the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
“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,” he stated.
The monarch said the theme of the 2026 festival, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” — “Strive and Advance” — represented a call for industry, excellence, self-improvement and collective progress.
According to him, the theme reflects the values of the forebears who built the Onitsha Kingdom along the Niger and challenges younger generations to carry that heritage forward through enterprise and purposeful development.
In his goodwill message to the monarch and the people of Onitsha, Adenuga described Globacom’s relationship with the kingdom 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.
He expressed appreciation to the Obi and the Onitsha people for giving Globacom the opportunity to contribute to preserving, celebrating and promoting their cultural heritage.
“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,” Adenuga added.
Globacom has been the festival’s principal sponsor since 2011, supporting an annual celebration central to the cultural identity and traditions of the Onitsha people.
