National Carrier, Globacom, has announced that the 2013 Ofala Festival will begin on Monday, 7th October with an International Arts Exhibition which will feature works of over 50 artists of high repute.
The exhibition, according to Globacom, “is one of the goodies we promised to bring to this year’s Ofala Festival when we signed a new Memorandum of Understanding with the Onitsha Palace on September 6 “.
A statement from the Telecommunication giant disclosed that 12 artists from Onitsha would join 38 others drawn from Ghana, Togo, Republic of Benin and the Diaspora just as the world renowned George Edozie, who co-authored the seminal book “101 Contemporary Artists: A Celebration of Modern Nigerian Art” would serve as Curator of the week long exhibition with the theme “Oraeze” meaning “the King’s people”.
“ This is the first time that indigenous contemporary arts would be receiving a boost from a Nigerian company. We have no doubt that the artists would be excited about it as it would broaden the scope of the Ofala Festival by showcasing our genuine artworks” the company enthused.
The company stressed that Nigerian art unlike Nigerian music or theatre is undiluted and can hold its own in the comity of nations for its originality and pristine nature, and promised to support home grown art and take it to next level.
On Tuesday, 8th October,2013, the Ofala Festival proper would commence with the Azu Ofala holding the next day, Wednesday while the Royal Banquet in honour of the Agbogidi would hold on Thursday, 10th October, 2013.
A musical show to be compered by Okey Bakassi featuring African Rapper Number One, MI and Flavour would hold on Saturday while a Thanksgiving Service would hold the next day to round off this year’s Festival.
