Onitsha set for annual Ofala festival on October 16

By Vincent Ujumadu

The Palace of the Obi of Onitsha has announced that the prestigious annual Ofala Onitsha Festival will hold on Friday, October 16, 2026, with the theme, “From Resilience to Progress.”

Chairman of the Ofala Steering Committee, Okechukwu Mike Areh, said the theme reflects the collective spirit, determination and aspirations of the Onitsha people.

According to him, the theme captures the resolve of Ndi Onicha to preserve their heritage while striving for greater progress and development.

“This theme, ‘From Resilience to Progress,’ calls on every Onye Onicha to move forward and advance our heritage and future together,” Areh said.

He explained that the Ofala festival, deeply rooted in spirituality and tradition, remains the high point of the Onitsha ceremonial calendar.

“Ofala is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the Obi’s annual emergence from seclusion, during which the monarch is believed to have successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom,” he stated.

Areh added that the festival also commemorates the historic discovery that yam is a safe and valuable source of food, symbolising joy, renewal and thanksgiving among the people.

According to him, the event serves as a rite of renewal for the Obi and reinforces the bond between the throne and the people.

While retaining its significance as an annual traditional and ritual obligation, Areh noted that the festival has evolved into a major cultural event featuring a wide range of activities.

These include an international art exhibition, the Ofala Youth Carnival, and community-focused medical, health and wellbeing outreach programmes.

The annual festival is expected to attract traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts, dignitaries and visitors from across Nigeria and beyond, further reinforcing Onitsha’s reputation as a centre of rich cultural heritage and tradition.

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