As the 2023 Ofala festival of the Onitsha Kingdom of Anambra State was concluded at the weekend, Governor Chukwuma Soludo noted that the annual event, which is sponsored by total telecommunications solutions provider – Globacom – has become a major tourist destination.
The company began sponsoring Ofala in 2011 and only last year signed a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the palace to continue the partnership up to 2025.
Governor Soludo noted during the 2023 edition of the festival which was held at the Ime Obi in Onitsha that efforts by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Onitsha people and the sponsors such as Globacom in promoting the festival have complemented the government’s determination to bring development to the State.
In the same vein, Igwe Achebe opined said: “Globacom as our principal partner has remained steadfast with us even with the present economic challenges,” adding: “We thank them exceedingly and trust that our mutually beneficial partnership will continue to grow.”
Globacom’s Retail Sales Chief, South East and South-South, Augustine-Ndu Offor, emphasized the company’s commitment to empowering Nigerians and explained that, by sponsoring Ofala and other key festivals across the country, Glo is empowering communities to preserve and promote their cultural heritage.
The sustained support of cultural festivals such as Ofala, Offor said, has added economic value to the surrounding region by leading to the development of tourism. He added that it is in line with the vision of empowerment that MoneyMaster Payment Service Bank (MMPSB), a subsidiary of Globacom, was launched this year. MMPSB, through its G kala wallet enables the unbanked and under-banked to use their mobile phones to send, save, collect and deposit their money, thereby empowering the financially excluded in the society. The 8% interest rate per annum on the G Kala savings account is a good demonstration of the added value the company provides its customers.