Onitsha community, in Anambra State, have assured residents in the commercial city and environs of peaceful atmosphere and free movement during the 2023 Offala cultural celebration, which would commence on October 14.

The festival, which is a yearly customary obligation of the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, will begin with the Iru Ofala on October 14, while the Azu Ofala will be marked the next day.
At a press briefing at Ime Obi Palace, Onitsha, yesterday, the Chairman, Ofala Strategic, Marketing and Communications subcommittee, Nnnemeka Maduegbuna, said that there would be no restriction of movement and closure of businesses because of the celebration.

Maduegbuna, who spoke on behalf of Igwe Achebe, also said that there would be no discrimination against non-indigenes living in his kingdom during the festival, which would run over a three-week period in October.

He disclosed that Achebe adopted the theme: ‘Better, Stronger Together,’ for the 2023 Offala, and would be working in partnership with Globacom and International Breweries Plc.

MEANWHILE, Globacom, which is the major sponsor of the festival, disclosed, at a press briefing, yesterday, that its support for the event is a testament to its faith “in the nation’s huge cultural heritage, its potential to create employment and boost revenue generation.”

The company referred to the 2020 data from the World Tourism Organisation, which listed Nigeria as 52nd out of 55 tourism nations globally.

“Interestingly, the travel and tourism market in Nigeria has been projected to grow by 6.13 per cent between 2023 and 2027, resulting in a market volume of nearly $4 in 2027. If we continue to focus on promoting the best of our values for the world, nothing will stop Nigeria from moving up to the top 10 tourism greats among the comity of nations within the next few years,” the company added.