By Chuks Eke
All is now set for the 2025 Onitsha Ofala Festival of His Royal Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, having been endorsed by the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission, NTDC as a major festival in Nigeria.
Chairman, Strategic Marketing Communications Sub-committee for the 2025 Ofala Festival, Nn’emeka Maduegbuna who disclosed this during a pre-Ofala press briefing at the Ime Obi Onitsha Palace of the Obi of Onitsha on Thursday, said the three-day fiesta which is expected to keep coming off on Friday, October 17, has the the themed: ‘Njiko na Ntachi,’ ‘Unity and Perseverance’ and emphasises the importance of community and resilience.
Maduegbuna further disclosed that, added that the festival would reflect the Obi’s message of hope and resilience amidst the prevailing hardship in the country, adding that the occasion is aimed at fostering unity, promoting resilience, and upholding enduring communal values that define communities.
According to Maduegbuna, “it is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Onicha Ado N’Idu kingdom, showcasing royal dances, tributes, parades, and music. The purpose of the Ofala is twofold – it marks the Obi’s successful negotiation of the kingdom’s fortunes during seclusion and commemorates the discovery of yam as a food source”.
“Since 2019, we have been pursuing key objectives to elevate the Ofala festival to a major cultural event in Nigeria, West Africa and globally. Ofala festival is a significant cultural event not just in
Onitsha, but in Nigeria, and potentially international, said Maduegbuna.
“Base on this, various commissions have come to the Ofala, the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission has endorsed the Ofala as a major Nigeria festival. United Nation’s Word Tourism Organisation, has equally awarded the Ofala a certificate of recognition for excellence. As I speak, Ofala is processing an application to United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, UNESCO for recognition as a world heritage event”.
“This year’s festival promises to be an exciting experience, with a range of traditional and modern activities. Our theme for 2025, ‘Njiko na Ntachi’, unity and perseverance
emphasises the importance of community and resilience”.
“We aim to foster unity, promote resilience, and uphold enduring communal values that define our community. The 2025 Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala is scheduled for Friday,
October 17 and Saturday, October 18, respectively.
“However, the festival activities would commence on October 7 till
November 2, 2025, and includes other events such as the Ofala lecture series, an annual lecture series named after Obi Nnaemeka Achebe, recognising his contributions to public relations.”
Maduegbuna stressed that the Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala which span two days were the highpoints of the festival, featuring the monarch’s parade and dance, as well as elaborate displays by age-grade societies in colorful uniforms.
He promised that this year’s festival would be an exciting experience,
with a range of traditional and modern activities, assuring residents and visitors that adequate security will be put in place to secure lives and property during the festival.
“These underscore the festival’s importance in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. In this regard, we are focused on expanding visibility and attracting a diverse audience, securing strategic partnerships to preserve and promote Ofala’s cultural significance globally,” he added.
The 2025 festival is sponsored by Globacom Nigeria Limited, Zenith Bank and International Breweries Plc, among others.
