Encomium
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has eulogised telecommunications giant, Globacom, for adding colour and glitz to the Ofala Festival being held in the ancient town.
Igwe Achebe lauded Globacom for supporting the Ofala festival as the official corporate sponsors since 2011, while confirming that the company had over the years introduced several innovations to the historic festival to make it a huge tourism attraction.
Said he, “Our appreciation goes to our main sponsor, Globacom. The partnership with this company has contributed significantly to the growth of Ofala”.
He further 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 added.
Globacom’s Regional Activations Manager, South East 2, Mr. Noel Udeme, told journalists that “Globacom’s consistent sponsorship of the festival for the past nine years is an indication that we do not only love the Onitsha people, but that we are interested in the preservation of their cultural values”.
According to him, “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”.
Igwe Achebe made a grand royal entry into the Ime Obi arena venue of the event in the company of his Ndi Ichies, and other palace coteries . He was bedecked in a headwear decorated with colourful plumes as he swayed to the royal traditional egwu ota drums, to the delight of the dignitaries, indigenes of Onitsha Kingdom and other tourists who applauded him.
The Ofala festival continued on Saturday with the Azu Ofala and will climax on Monday with a Royal Banquet organised by Globacom in honour of Igwe Achebe at the Dolly Hills Hotels, Onitsha.
