Culture

Globacom Ofala Festival Elevates Onitsha’s Royal Heritage

Published

11 months ago

October 21, 2025

Globacom Ofala Festival celebrates Onitsha’s royal heritage with music, prizes and culture, reaffirming Glo’s commitment to promoting Nigerian traditions

Globacom Ofala Festival lit up Onitsha, Anambra State, last weekend with colour, culture and celebration. The 2025 edition showcased Nigeria’s enduring royal traditions and reaffirmed Globacom’s leading role in promoting the nation’s cultural identity.

Also read: Ofala Festival Onitsha Celebrates Culture, Innovation

C.J. Paterson Hall came alive as music stars Ugosinaobichukwu Ikem Mazeli and Kcee thrilled guests at the pre-festival show tagged Evening With Glo.

Their exhilarating performances got the crowd dancing, marking a spectacular prelude to this year’s Ofala Festival in honour of His Imperial Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.

The Globacom Ofala Festival has become synonymous with elegance and innovation. Since its partnership began in 2011, Globacom has not only amplified the event’s profile but also elevated it to a global stage, linking technology, art and heritage.

The 2025 edition attracted dignitaries, including the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.

This year’s festivities began with Iru Ofala on October 17, when Igwe Achebe emerged from spiritual seclusion, symbolising renewal and prosperity.

The grand finale, Azu Ofala, held on October 18, was a spectacular display of thanksgiving, music, and royal splendour. Guests witnessed a dazzling procession of traditional chiefs, dancers and cultural groups, all celebrating the essence of unity and continuity.

Globacom deepened its engagement by rewarding loyal customers through the Ofala Promo, which saw winners take home prizes including a brand new Kia Picanto, tricycles, power generators and grinding machines.

Onitsha businesswoman Mrs. Obi Chidinma Esther, who won the car, expressed joy as she received her keys amid applause.

In his royal address, Igwe Achebe commended Globacom for its steadfast support over the past 14 years, describing the partnership as a model of corporate commitment to cultural development.

“Globacom has helped place Ofala on the global map,” he said, expressing optimism that the collaboration would continue to yield mutual benefits.

Beyond pageantry, the Globacom Ofala Festival reinforces the telecoms giant’s belief that investment in culture nurtures creativity, commerce and community pride.

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to expanding 4G-LTE infrastructure across Nigeria to improve customer experience.

Since its founding in 2003, Globacom has transformed Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape through groundbreaking innovations, from per-second billing to its undersea cable that revolutionised data connectivity in Africa.

The company continues to reward customers through initiatives like Talkmasta 6 for 6 and Welcome Bonus, reflecting its customer-first philosophy.

Cultural festivals like Ofala, Globacom insists, are not mere spectacles but vehicles for preserving heritage and boosting tourism.

As Nigeria targets a $1 trillion economy by 2030, public-private collaborations in culture and tourism could play a vital role in achieving that goal.

Also read: Ofala Festival Embraces Technology for Global Reach

The Globacom Ofala Festival 2025 leaves behind powerful memories of unity, art and innovation—an enduring celebration of tradition in a modern world. As visitors depart Onitsha, anticipation already builds for a more enchanting edition in 2026.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”