OBI OF ONITSHA CONGRATULATES ADENUGA AS OFALA FESTIVAL KICKS OFF The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, has described the National Award of Grand Commander of the Niger, GCON, conferred on the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jnr. as an honour well deserved. The Obi who made this remark in Onitsha on Friday while receiving the cheque for the sponsorship of the 2012 Ofala Festival from Globacom officials led by the company's Divisional Director, South East, Mr. Michael Ehumadu, said that Dr. Adenuga Jnr. GCON, had done a lot for the nation and deserved to be honoured. The traditional ruler, while commending Globacom for taking the ancient Ofala Festival to the next level through its sponsorship last year, noted that the giant telecommunication outfit will be remembered for the transformational history of Onitsha and its environs. "I want to formally congratulate Dr. Mike Adenuga on the National Award of GCON conferred on him by the president. Dr. Adenuga has done quite a lot for this country and the honour is well deserved, he said, adding that "it is good that the private sector is being recognized and honoured by the nation". The monarch added that the 2012 Ofala Festival would be bigger as it would mark his 10th coronation anniversary as the Obi of Onitsha, pointing out that Globacom had contributed to making the Ofala festival witness great transformation. “We are happy that Globacom is partnering with us. Our intention is to anchor Onitsha on the map of culture in Nigeria. Onitsha is transforming and Globacom is part of that transformation", he eulogized. Presenting the cheque to the traditional ruler on behalf of Globacom, Mr. Ehumadu said that the company would make the 2012 edition of the festival "more colourful and exceptional to celebrate the Obi on the 10th year on the throne of his forefathers and to appreciate the Obi and the people of Onitsha for their support and faith in Globacom". He noted that Globacom will introduce some innovation in this year's festival. The 2012 Ofala festival kicks off formally with the Iwaji, New Yam Festival, on September 23 and would be rounded off on October 8 with the commissioning by Governor Peter Obi, the block of classrooms built by Globacom at the Metropolitan Secondary School, Onitsha. Other activities lined up for the festival include youth rally, seminars, health awareness campaigns, novelty football match and a royal banquet in honour of the Obi by the telecommunication company. Globacom, it would be recalled in 2011, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the Palace of the Obi of Onitsha to sponsor the Ofala Festival for a period of three years.