Obi of Onitsha during a previous Ofala festival
Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, will host the 2025 Ofala festival between October 7 and November 2.
This year’s celebration, themed ‘Njiko na Ntachi’ (unity and perseverance), will feature a blend of traditional and contemporary events showcasing the cultural heritage of the Onicha Ado N’Idu kingdom.
The festival’s major highlights — the Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala — are billed for October 17 and 18, with the monarch’s parade, royal dances, and colourful displays by age-grade societies expected to draw large crowds.
Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, chairman of the Ofala strategic marketing and communications subcommittee, said the festival remains “a celebration of the rich heritage of the Onicha Ado N’Idu kingdom”.
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“This year’s theme emphasises the importance of community and resilience,” he said.
“We aim to foster unity, promote resilience, and uphold enduring values that define our community. We invite Nigerians and visitors from across the world to join us.”
The 2025 Ofala festival is supported by the National Council for Arts and Culture, Globacom, International Breweries, Zenith Bank, and Guinness Nigeria, with media partnerships from Arise TV/THISDAY, Afia TV/Radio, and Pop Central TV.
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Organisers have also launched the Ofala mobile app, available on Android and iOS, to provide real-time updates, multimedia content, and a seamless festival experience for attendees and virtual participants.
Other activities lined up include the Ofala lecture series in honour of the monarch, an Oreze art exhibition featuring works by Nigerian and African artists, a youth carnival, a medical and wellbeing outreach, and a thanksgiving service to close the festivities.
