1st August, 2011
Telecom giant, Globacom, has taken over the sponsorship of the prestigious Ofala festival of Onitsha. The big sponsorship deal, which was sealed in Onitsha over the weekend, is for three years, 2011 to 2013. The 2012 edition of the festival is significant because the year marks the 10th coronation anniversary of the Obi.
Igwe Alfred Achebe commended the national carrier for showing abiding faith in the Nigerian people.
The Obi, who made the commendation in his palace on Sunday while signing the Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, between the palace and the telecommunications outfit on the sponsorship of the age-long Ofala Festival noted that Globacom has demonstrated that “it cares about everything that is Nigerian”.
Describing the sponsorship of the festival “as a marriage between the people of Onitsha and Globacom”, the Obi expressed confidence that the agreement would be of benefit to both parties.
“Globacom has shown tremendous goodwill and as a people we are happy that the process which began a year ago is becoming fruitful today. We are looking forward to a rewarding and engaging long-time partnership. Globacom has demonstrated that it is truly a Nigerian company and has assured us that it will give international impetus to Ofala Festival without a change in the character of the festival,”the Obi enthused.
Igwe Achebe observed that Nigerians from all walks of life had so many reasons to partner with Globacom, ” a company that retains all its profits here in Nigeria for the benefit of the people of Nigeria.”
In his remarks at the ceremony, Globacom’s Regional Director, Marketing Communications (West Africa), Charles Jenarius, assured that the company would make the Ofala Festival the envy of all other festivals and the best in Black Africa.
Jenarius added that, taking into cognizance the importance of Ofala Festival to the Onitsha people and the entire people of Anambra state, “Globacom will take this cherished cultural heritage to the next level and make it one that the international tourist community will look forward to”.
Highlights of the ceremony were the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the representatives of the Obi, Chief B. O. Adibua, the Ajie of Onitsha, and Chief N. Okafor, the Ojiede Eze of Onitsha, on behalf of the Onitsha Monarch and Mr Charles Jenarius on behalf of Globacom and the registration of the Obi and his palace chiefs on the Globacom network.