Foremost businessman, Dr. Mike Adenuga (Jr.), over the weekend declared that the Ofala festival of Onitsha people in Anambra State has helped promote social stability and community development.
Dr. Adenuga who is Chairman of next generation network, Globacom, made the declaration in his goodwill message at the 2016 Ofala Festival celebrations held at the Ime Obi, Onitsha.
He stated that the festival had over the years fulfilled the call by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the promotion of cultural initiatives.
Globacom has been the major sponsor of the Ofala Festival since 2011.
“Ofala Festival, for us in Globacom, is an important vehicle which has been used to drive social integration, promote peace and community development. But more importantly, the festival immortalises a lofty heirloom of the Onitsha people,” Dr. Adenuga said.
He explained that Globacom had supported the festival over the years because it was “in line with our vision to identify with initiatives that empower us as a nation and raise future leaders who will not only be exceptional in their professional endeavour but will also be worthy ambassadors of our cultures and traditions. This was why we instituted the Glo Heritage Series to support festivals that help the realisation of this noble cause.”
The business mogul commended the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, for introducing unique initiatives to the festival and expanding its scope.
“Globacom is proud of the interventionist roles it has played in the promotion of arts by investing in our budding and established talents. Our latest contribution in this sphere is a television satire, Professor Johnbull. Produced in the Eastern part of Nigeria and shown weekly on the NTA Network, the television drama series is not just entertaining but also didactic. Its objective is to make people learn and laugh as they relish the drama played by top Nollywood stars to call attention to various challenges facing the nation and how we can smash our obstacles into smithereens,” Dr. Adenuga concluded.
In his Ofala speech, Igwe Achebe noted that Dr Adenuga had made personal commitments towards the success of the festival, and prayed for more grace for him to be able to impact more positively on humanity.
“We are particularly thankful for the personal commitment of the Executive Chairman of Globacom, Otunba Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, towards the success of Ofala Onitsha for the past six years. We pray that God continues to bless him to enable him to continue to serve humanity”, the traditional ruler stated.