Kayode Akinyemi
Fifteen years of unwavering dedication, memorable experiences and legacy-defining moments in Globacom’s sponsorship of the Ofala Festival of the Onitsha Kingdom represent a wealthy heritage that deserves to be preserved for posterity. Recognising that recollections fade with time, Globacom Nigeria was impressed to doc the complete spectrum of its involvement within the competition with a colouful espresso desk e book titled “Ofala – A Royal Heritag” – “A Glo Cultural Legacy Beyond Borders”. From the origins and evolution of the sponsorship partnership to the tales, landmark occasions, personalities and establishments which have formed this exceptional journey. This e book is due to this fact a celebration of fifteen years of a cherished partnership, revealed to commemorate Globacom’s fifteenth yr of affiliation with the Ofala Festival and the 2026 version of this iconic cultural celebration.
The 2026 Ofala Festival, which got here to a profitable shut final week, was not merely a celebration of tradition, festivities and history-making moments; it was additionally an event to protect and doc historical past for posterity by way of each print and digital archives. In a bid to rework fleeting moments into an everlasting legacy, Globacom Nigeria revealed a commemorative e book titled “Ofala, A Royal Heritage, A Glo’s Cultural Legacy Beyond Borders.” The fantastically curated compendium chronicles Globacom’s exceptional journey with the Ofala Festival, capturing the milestones, defining timelines, landmark occasions and memorable moments which have formed its longstanding partnership with the Onitsha Kingdom. Through this publication, Globacom ensures that the wealthy tales and enduring significance of this cultural heritage stay accessible to current and future generations.
The e book comprises a Goodwill Message from the Chairman of Globacom, Otunba (Dr.) Michael Adenuga Jr., who expressed delight that by way of Globacom’s affiliation with the Ofala Festival, the corporate was privileged to make its modest contributions to the preservation, celebration and wider projection of the priceless cultural heritage. He expressed his satisfaction and pleasure to affix the individuals of Onitsha and the Igwe every year in showcasing to Nigeria, Africa and the broader world, the sweetness, dignity and enduring values represented by Ofala.
Dr. Adenuga Jr. counseled the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, for his knowledge, dignity and exemplary management with which he had presided over the affairs of his individuals through the years. In specific, he extolled Igwe Achebe’s exceptional capacity to protect the cherished traditions of the previous whereas embracing the aspirations and alternatives of the trendy age, noting that such management model had continued to reinforce the status of the Onitsha Kingdom and earn it deserved recognition far past its borders.
As Igwe Achebe presided over the week-long occasion, the Globacom Chairman prayed for plentiful knowledge, energy and glorious well being for him, and wished him many extra fulfilling years of distinguished service to his individuals and Nigeria, Above all, he prayed for continued peace, progress and prosperity all through the Onitsha Kingdom below His Majesty’s revered management.
In a foreword to the e book, Igwe Achebe counseled Globacom for holding their heritage alive by way of the sponsorship deal. Specifically, he stated the transformation of the Ofala Festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural competition owed an incredible deal to purposeful partnership with Globacom, stating that since 2011, the telecom firm had stood along with his kingdom as its principal accomplice, a interval of 15 lengthy years of unwavering dedication. The monarch famous that what started as a deeply sacred royal obligation had, below the individuals’s collective custodianship, grown right into a competition of nationwide and international significance, with out shedding its religious core, as a heritage asset–for identification, unity, tourism, youth enterprise, and group rituals. He stated as an alternative, what has advanced is the competition’s energy to talk to modern Nigeria wellbeing.
“Ofala, A Royal Heritage: Glo’s Cultural Legacy Beyond Borders” is split into six components, every exploring a defining component of the competition and highlighting the wealthy cultural traditions, historic significance, royal heritage, key personalities, landmark occasions and enduring partnerships that make the Ofala Festival a really exceptional celebration.
Part one seems at Ofala as a residing heritage, explaining its origin, related establishments, in addition to the cultural, religious, and group layers that give it its profound nature and significance
Part two x-rays town of Onitsha, tracing its historical past to over 5 centuries. This half examined the function performed by the River Nigeria within the cultural and industrial significance of town. Onitsha is described as a metropolis of resilience, entrepreneurship and a confluence of the outdated and new the world. A metropolis steeped in tradition and a vibrant centre of commerce and commerce.
Part three examines Ofala Onitsha as symbolizing spirituality, custom, and continuity, whereas half 4 is a highlight on the Agbogidi – the persona of the Obi, the throne, custodianship and his affect on the event and prosperity of town of Onitsha.
Part Five explores the enduring partnership between Globacom and the Ofala Festival, highlighting how strategic sponsorship has elevated the competition past the shores of Nigeria and positioned it on the worldwide cultural stage. It chronicles a journey of shared imaginative and prescient, cultural promotion and transformation, demonstrating how a purposeful company partnership can amplify the visibility of a standard competition, develop its attain and protect its heritage whereas connecting it to audiences internationally. It is a compelling lesson within the energy of sponsorship to rework cultural heritage right into a globally celebrated legacy.
Finally, the e book examines Onitsha youth as custodians of the Ofala and the way forward for tradition. In specific, half six seems on the evolving function and significance within the tradition of Onitsha by way of the colorful youth carnival which has turn out to be a key part of the cultural fiesta.
From the attitude of the writer/writer, the partnership between Globacom and Ofala Festival is a wedding of the drum beat and the digital sign, with the drum beat carrying reminiscence by way of sound, whereas the digital sign carries reminiscence throughout distance. Still utilizing the metaphor of the drum beat and the digital sign, the e book summises that one summons the group to the palace whereas the sign summons the world to Onitsha.
Indeed the strategic partnership between the Onitsha Traditional Council and Nigeria’s Frontline indigenous telecom service supplier represents greater than sponsor and competition; it embodirs a partnership during which company citizenship turns into cultural custodianship, with know-how changing into an ally of custom. The companions’ journey collectively demonstrates that heritage needn’t select between preservation and progress, however it will possibly protect its soul and enlarge its horizon.
As rightly identified by the writer/writer, the corporate has helped translate an attention-grabbing native cultural expertise right into a nationwide dialog and, more and more, a world proposition, whereas its communication attain and digital capabilities have helped bridge the palace courtyard and the broader world.
Profoundly resonating with this cultural partnership of over 15 years is that whereas some sponsorships are mainly transactions, focusing on numbers and margins, this one will not be of that style however a pillar of assist for continuity, group growth, peace, unity, and cultural renewal. This partnership had turn out to be the heart-beat of a Kingdom’s main cultural occasion.
Globacom’s legacy of supporting and preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage is exceptional. Over the previous 21 years, its sponsorship of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode and 15 years of partnership with the Ofala Festival in Onitsha have infused these iconic cultural celebrations with renewed vibrancy, expanded their attain and elevated their profiles on the worldwide stage. Through these enduring partnerships, Globacom has demonstrated how strategic company sponsorship can protect cultural traditions, amplify their significance and showcase Nigeria’s wealthy heritage to audiences all over the world.
• Akinyemi, a Fellow of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, writes from Lagos
