The 2024 Onitsha Ofala Festival, celebrating the annual emergence of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, will take place from October 18 to 19, 2024.
The Ofala Steering Committee, in a press release on Tuesday, announced that the theme for this year’s festival is “Courage, Perseverance, and Self-Reliance”—a message of hope and resilience amid Nigeria’s current challenges.
Chief Mike Areh, Chairman of the Steering Committee and holder of the title ‘Onya Ozoma of Onitsha,’ highlighted the significance of the theme:
“The 2024 Ofala Eze Onicha urges us to draw strength from our cultural heritage and ancestors’ timeless values. It is a call to action, encouraging our people to tap into their inner strength, collective resilience, and commitment to one another.”
The two-day event will begin with the Iru Ofala on Friday, October 18, and conclude with the Azu Ofala on Saturday, October 19. A Royal Banquet in honour of Igwe Achebe will follow on Wednesday, October 23, at the Ime Obi (the palace).
As part of the celebration, a range of activities will unfold, beginning with the 2024 edition of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations/Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Obi Nnaemeka Achebe Annual Lecture on October 8. Professor Pat Utomi will deliver the keynote address on “Achieving Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria: The Public Relations Approach.”
The 10th edition of the Oreze international art exhibition will run from October 16 to 21. However, the Onitsha Youth Council’s usual carnival will not hold this year in honour of the late OYC leader, Ernest A.B.K. Ofiah. A new medical, health, and wellbeing outreach will also be introduced and run throughout the festival.
In a statement, Globacom, one of the key sponsors, expressed pride in its ongoing partnership with the festival:
“The Ofala is a celebration of Nigeria’s diversity and resilience. We are honoured to support this event and promote the country’s rich cultural heritage.”
Similarly, Bamise Oyegbami, Marketing Director of International Breweries PLC, the producers of Hero Lager, remarked:
“At International Breweries, we believe in preserving traditions that unite and inspire communities. The 2024 Ofala reflects the courage, perseverance, and self-reliance of the Nigerian people, and we are delighted to support it.”
The Ofala Festival is deeply rooted in the traditions of the Onitsha kingdom. It marks the monarch’s return from seclusion, during which he symbolically negotiates the fortunes of the community. The festival also commemorates the discovery of yam as a vital food source and reenacts the shared joy between the monarch and his subjects.
Recognized nationally and internationally, the Ofala Festival holds endorsements from the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which awarded it a Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Culture.
This year’s celebration promises not only to highlight Onitsha’s vibrant heritage but also to foster unity and inspire hope as communities navigate current economic realities.
