The Ofala Steering Committee has announced the programme for the 25th Ofala Festival of the Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, CFR, mni.
The 2026 festival, scheduled to hold from October 7 to 25 in Onitsha, Anambra State, is themed “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru”—Strive and Advance—from Resilience to Progress.
According to the committee, the theme builds on last year’s “Njiko na Ntachi”—Unity and Resilience—and reflects the evolution of Ofala from a sacred rite of renewal for the Obi into a platform for collective progress among the people of Onitsha.
Announcing the programme, the Chairman of the Ofala Steering Committee, Chief Okechukwu Mike Areh, Onya Ozoma of Onitsha, said the festival would challenge individuals and communities to turn resilience into purposeful advancement.
“For over 500 years, Ndi Onicha have shown igba mbo—resilience. Through every challenge, we endured, adapted and rose again. In 2026, we move forward to iga n’iru—deliberate progress,” Areh said.
He added: “This is our charge: strive in your craft, advance your community. Let personal effort build our kingdom.”
The festival opens on Wednesday, October 7, with Inye Ukwu N’Nlo Eze Onicha, the annual seclusion of the Obi. The committee described the period as the most sacred and private moment in the Ofala ceremonial cycle.
During the seclusion, which covers the native week of Oye, Afor, Nkwo and Eke, the monarch remains incommunicado as he spiritually negotiates the fortunes of the kingdom with the ancestors.
This will be followed on Saturday, October 10, by Ogbalido, a feast of atonement for brave men, particularly Ndichie and big-game hunters. The ceremony signals the final countdown to Ofala and formally announces the commencement of the public festivities.
The Obi’s ceremonial emergence from seclusion, known as Inyepu Ukwu N’Nlo Eze Onicha, will take place on Sunday, October 11. The sacred rite marks the end of the Umato period and the monarch’s return to his people.
A medical, health and wellbeing community outreach programme will hold from Monday, October 12, to Thursday, October 15. It will provide medical screenings, health education and other wellbeing services for members of the community.
Also scheduled for the period is the Oreze Art Exhibition, which will run from Tuesday, October 13, to Sunday, October 18. The exhibition will feature contemporary and traditional artworks and is expected to promote Onitsha as a centre for culture, creativity and dialogue.
The festival’s youth carnival will hold on Wednesday, October 14. It will feature music, dance, fashion and talent exhibitions by Onitsha youths, drawing inspiration from the traditional Igbo ilo.
The high point of the festival, Iru Ofala, will take place on Friday, October 16. During the ceremony, the Obi will make his first public appearance after the period of seclusion, bless his people, receive homage and declare the festival theme, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru.”
The second day of the grand public celebration, Azu Ofala, will follow on Saturday, October 17. It will feature continued homage to the monarch, cultural performances, masquerades and community engagement at Ime Obi.
The festival will end with a special interdenominational thanksgiving service on Sunday, October 25, at Bishop Crowther Memorial Anglican Church, Egerton Road, Onitsha.
The committee said the 2026 Ofala Festival is supported by Globacom and Orijin as official sponsors, while Arise News, THISDAY, Afia TV, Afia Radio and Udala FM are official media partners.
Explaining the symbolism behind the festival’s identity, Areh said the logo reflected the journey of the Onitsha people through authority, continuity, identity, honour and progress.
“Our logo reflects this journey: the swords of authority and continuity, the beads of identity and honour, and the royal proclamation at its centre,” he said.
“It is a heritage that is not static, but in motion—rooted in royalty, built on resilience, moving towards progress.”
The committee announced that media accreditation for the festival would run from October 3 to 10. Media practitioners seeking to cover the events are required to apply through the official Ofala website.
It added that only accredited media personnel would be granted access to designated media areas.
The committee thanked the sponsors and media partners for supporting the festival and helping to project the story of Onitsha to Nigeria and the international community.
Credit: Vanguard
