Onitsha, Nigeria  June 22, 2026   Ime Obi Onicha, the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha, has announced the official theme and date for Ofala 2026.

The 2026 festival will hold on Friday, October 16, 2026, under the theme: igba mbo, iga n’iru | Strive, and advance | From Resilience to Progress.

Chief (Dr) Okechukwu Mike Areh, Onya of Onitsha and Chairman of the Ofala Steering Committee, said the theme reflects the collective spirit of Ndi Onicha

“igba mbo, iga n’iru captures our collective resolve. From Resilience to Progress, this theme calls every Onye  Onicha to strive forward and advance our heritage and future together.”

About Ofala

Rooted in deep spirituality, Ofala is the highpoint of the Onitsha ceremonial cycle. It is primarily a celebration by the monarch and his subjects of the Obi’s annual emergence from seclusion, inyepu ukwu na nlo eze, during which the monarch has successfully negotiated the fortunes of the kingdom. The festival also reenacts the joy shared by the monarch and his people at the discovery that yam is non-toxic and a valuable source of food.. It serves as a rite of renewal for the Obi and a renewal of bonds between the throne and Ndi Onicha.

Whilst retaining its essence as an annual traditional and ritual obligation, Ofala has evolved into a major festival encompassing many events. These now include an international art exhibition Oreze, the Ofala Youth Carnival, and the Ofala Medical, Health and Wellbeing Community Outreach.

For further enquiries, please contact:

Nn’emeka Maduegbuna

Chairman, Ofala Strategic Marketing and Communications Subcommittee

Tel,: 0803 402 0069

Email : nnemekamaduegbuna@ofala.org