Onitsha: The Strategic Marketing and Communications Subcommittee for the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra, announced that the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission (NTDC) has officially endorsed the festival as a major event in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Nnemeka Maduegbuna, Chairman of the committee, shared this development during a press briefing at the Obi’s palace. He elaborated on the significance of the Ofala Festival as a celebration of the Onicha Ado N’Idu Kingdom’s rich cultural heritage, featuring royal dances, tributes, parades, and music.
Maduegbuna highlighted that the festival serves as a commemoration of the Obi’s successful negotiation of the kingdom’s fortunes during seclusion and marks the discovery of yam as a crucial food source. Since 2019, the committee has focused on elevating the Ofala Festival to a prominent cultural event in Nigeria, West Africa, and on the global stage.
He stated, “Ofala Festival is a significant cultural event not just in Onitsha, but in Nigeria, and potentially international. Based on this, various commissions have come to the Ofala, and now the Nigeria Tourism Development Commission has endorsed it as a major Nigerian festival.” He also noted that the United Nation’s World Tourism Organisation has awarded the festival a certificate of recognition for excellence. Additionally, efforts are underway to secure recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as a world heritage event.
Maduegbuna further announced that the festival would feature the Iru Ofala and Azu Ofala as its highpoints, spanning two days. These days will include the monarch’s parade and dance, along with elaborate displays by age-grade societies in colorful attire.
“This year’s festival will be an exciting experience, with a range of traditional and modern activities. The festival aims to foster unity, promote resilience, and uphold enduring communal values that define our community,” he said, assuring that adequate security measures will be in place to protect both residents and visitors during the festival.