Glo-sponsored Ofala Begins As Artists Showcase Works

Renowned artists from within Nigeria and abroad over the weekend converged in Onitsha, Anambra State, for the Oraeze International Arts Exhibition which signals the commencement of the 2018 Ofala Festival. 

The annual event which celebrates the best of African culture is sponsored by national telecommunications operator, Globacom. 

According to the company, the arts exhibition featuring over 100 artists will run throughout the period of the festival at the Arts Gallery, Ime Obi, Onitsha.

Globacom, which has sponsored Ofala for the past eight years, said, "We are privileged to partner with the Onitsha Palace as the  official sponsor of the age-long Ofala Festival following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Onitsha people in 2011". It promised that this year's event would be even bigger, and assured a pleasant and memorable time for lovers of Nigerian culture  and entertainment.

Other activities in celebration of the 2018 Ofala include Youth Carnival Floats for the youth age-grade  competitions to be held on October 5, and the Ofala and Azu Ofala festivals which are scheduled for October 6 and October 7 respectively.

The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, will during Ofala and Azu Ofala festivals address Onitsha sons and daughters and other dignitaries that will be at the Ime Obi, Onitsha palace ground, for the celebrations.

"In addition to the usual activities, Globacom will host a grand Royal Banquet in honour of the Agbogidi on Monday, October 8, at the Dolly Hills Hotel, Onitsha, during which different mouth-watering prizes will be presented to the winners of the various age-grade competitions held in the course of the festival", Globacom noted.

Globacom assured that it "remains focused on our promise of making Ofala Onitsha the biggest festival ever in Black Africa. For the 2018 edition of the festival, participants and tourists who will be part of the celebrations stand the chance of winning several fantastic prizes at the Globacom pavilion within the Ime Obi".

The company first signed the MOU for the sponsorship of the festival in 2011 for a period of three years, ending in 2013. The company and the Onitsha Palace renewed the agreement in 2013 and later in 2016 for three-year sponsorship periods respectively.