Ofala Festival 2025 goes global with live streaming and app integration, showcasing Onitsha’s royal heritage and Globacom’s digital innovation
Ofala Festival has stepped boldly into the digital age, as the 2025 edition of Onitsha’s iconic royal celebration prepares to be broadcast globally through real-time streaming and a dedicated mobile app.
The announcement came in early October, when His Majesty Nnaemeka Achebe, CFR, mni, Obi of Onitsha (Agbogidi), extended digital invitations to guests for the festival themed “Njiko na Ntachi” (Unity and Perseverance).
A follow-up message from Zik C. Obi II confirmed that the festivities would this year reach a worldwide audience through the new Ofala Onitsha app available on Google Play and Apple’s App Store.
This innovation reflects the monarch’s forward-thinking approach a blend of cultural sophistication and technological awareness.
The Obi of Onitsha, an alumnus of Stanford and Columbia Universities, and a former Royal Dutch Shell executive, has since his enthronement in 2002 elevated the festival into a global cultural brand.
The Ofala Festival, which dates back to the 16th century, marks the end of the Obi’s week-long spiritual seclusion — a sacred period symbolising renewal, unity, and continuity.
Under Igwe Achebe’s stewardship and through Globacom’s sponsorship since 2011, the festival has evolved into a world-class tourism event, drawing over half a million visitors annually and reaching more than ten million people via media coverage.
Among the highlights are the Oreze International Arts Exhibition, introduced in 2012 and supported exclusively by Globacom, which has featured over 5,000 artists to date.
Other scheduled activities this year include the Ofala lecture on October 7, the Youth Carnival and health outreach on October 15, the Iru Ofala on October 17, the Azu Ofala on October 18, and a royal banquet on October 22 — all accessible to a global audience through live streaming.
On September 25, Globacom renewed its sponsorship for another three years, reaffirming its commitment to cultural preservation and economic diversification. “Festivals are not just culture on display; they are engines of identity, creativity, commerce, and tourism,” the company said.
The telecommunications giant’s continued support is anchored in the belief that cultural tourism can become a major economic driver for Nigeria.
The brand cited data showing that Nigeria’s tourism sector is projected to contribute ₦11.2 trillion to GDP in 2025, reflecting strong post-pandemic growth and underscoring the power of culture and innovation.
Globacom’s partnership with Onitsha’s royal palace mirrors global best practices, such as China’s technology-driven tourism strategy, where cultural heritage and digital integration have significantly boosted revenue and employment.
As Ofala Festival 2025 goes global, it reinforces not only the grandeur of Onitsha’s traditions but also Nigeria’s growing potential as a hub for cultural tourism.
When Agbogidi emerges from his spiritual retreat, blessings will flow beyond Onitsha — to Nigeria and the world — through a festival where heritage meets innovation.
Business3 years ago
