Obi of Onitsha, Achebe, sponsors reveal arrangements for 2024 Ofala festival

The Obi of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe and sponsors of the 2024 Ofala festival have revealed their array of events for this year’s celebration.

In a press release by Mr Tony Nezianya, the event’s publicist, it was revealed that this year’s event would witness several other additions to spice it.

He said the theme of the event would be: Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Reliance (Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe).

He said: “His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, scheduled to take place on October 18 and October 19, 2024. This reflects the monarch’s message of hope and resilience in the face of prevailing hardships in the country.

“Chief Dr. Okechukwu Mike Areh, Onya Ozoma of Onitsha and Chairman, Ofala
Steering Committee, observes that “That the theme resonates deeply with
our people’s resolve to overcome adversity. As we navigate the challenges of our time, we draw inspiration from our rich cultural heritage and the timeless
values of our ancestors.

“The 2024 Ofala Eze Onicha is a call to action, urging us to tap into our inner strength, our collective resilience, and our unwavering commitment to one another.”

He added that “We are proud to showcase our rich cultural heritage and promote unity among our people and invite everyone to join us in celebrating the 2024 Ofala.”

Chief Dr. Okechukwu Mike Areh, on behalf of the Ofala Steering Committee
expressed gratitude to the esteemed sponsors of the festival, Globacom
Limited and International Breweries Plc (Hero Beer), for their continued
support.

According to Globacom, “We are proud to once again partner with the Ofala
Steering Committee to showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

“The Ofala is a celebration of our nation’s diversity and resilience, and we are honored to be a
part of it.”

In a similar vein, the Marketing Director of International Breweries Plc, the manufacturer of Hero Lager, Mr. Bamise Oyegbami, stated that “At International Breweries Plc, we believe in the sustenance of culture and tradition as ways of uniting and inspiring our communities.

“We are delighted to support the 2024 Ofala and celebrate the courage, perseverance, and self reliance of the Nigerian people. In line with usual practice the Ofala will in addition to the two days of the festival proper and the ancillary traditional rites feature other events.

“These will kick off on October 8, with the 2024 edition of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations/Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Obi
Nnaemeka Achebe Annual Lecture.

Professor Pat Utomi will be speaking on
“Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria: The Public Relations
Approach”.

The tenth edition of the international art exhibition (Oreze X) will be run from October 16 to October 21.

He said effective from this year, a medical, health, and wellbeing community outreach which will be undertaken throughout the period of the festival has been introduced .

They regretted that, the Ofala Youth Carnival organised by the Onitsha
Youth Council (OYC), which is arguably the largest street party in southeast
Nigeria will not hold this year as a mark of respect for the murdered leader of
the OYC, and the driving spirit of the carnival, Kpajie Barrister Ernest A.B.K
Offiah.

The Ofala has received national and international recognition, including
endorsement from the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and
a Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Culture from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

Giving notes about the festival, Nezianya said: “The Ofala rooted in deep spirituality, the Ofala is an occasion for the monarch to fulfill certain obligations.

“It is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the monarch’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which period the monarch has successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom.

“The Ofala is also a reenactment of the joy which the monarch shared with his
subjects, at the discovery that yam is non-toxic, and a valuable source of food.”