Ofala Onitsha Festival Holds Oct 16th Says Achebe; Obi Of Onitsha

By Okey Maduforo Awka .

The internally revered Onitsha Ofala Festival would hold on the 16th of October this year as announced by the (bi of Onitsha Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe (Agbaogidi ) .

The festival which is celebrated annually attracting the global community has been outjugeed as one of the foremost platform that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Ndigbo.

According to Obi Achebe who spoke through the Onya of Onitsha Chief Dr Okechukwu Mike Areh who is the Chairman of Ofala Steering Committee;

“The 2026 festival will hold on Friday, October 16, 2026, under the theme: igba mbo,
I ga n’iru ; meaning , Strive, And Advance “

“The theme reflects the collective spirit of Ndi Onicha
“igba mbo, iga n’iru captures our collective resolve”

“From Resilience to Progress, this
theme calls every Onye Onicha to strive forward and advance our heritage and future together “

Achebe noted that the festival is rooted in deep spirituality and that Ofala is the highpoint of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle.

“It is primarily a celebration by the Monarch and his subjects of the Obi’s annual emergence from
seclusion, inyepu ukwu na nlo eze, during which the monarch has
successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom”

“The festival also reenacts the
joy shared by the monarch and his people at the discovery that yam is non-toxic and a valuable source of
food.”

“It serves as a rite of renewal for the Obi and a renewal of bonds between the throne and Ndi Onicha
bonds between the throne and Ndi Onicha “

“Whilst retaining its essence as an annual traditional and ritual obligation, Ofala has evolved into
a major festival encompassing many events”

The festival now include an
international art exhibition Oreze, the Ofala Youth Carnival, and the Ofala Medical, Health and Wellbeing Community Outreach .

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