By Michael Ovat -Awka
The Onitsha Ofala steering committee, has unveiled it official logo, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’iru” — meaning “Strive and Advance” — as the theme for this year 2026 celebration.
The unvielling was announced via statement signed and issued to Journalists in Onitsha, on Monday by the committee chairman, Chief (Dr.) Okechukwu Mike Areh, Onya Ozoma of Onitsha.
According to Areh, the ancient Onitsha Kingdom will mark more than 500 years of unbroken monarchy at this year’s Ofala Festival celebration.
He said the 2026 edition would celebrate the resilience of the Onitsha institution while challenging the present generation to build on the legacy of its forebears.
“The two-day festival is scheduled to hold on October 16 and 17 at Ime Obi, Ezechima Square, Onitsha, Anambra State.
“The theme was both a celebration of the kingdom’s history and a charge to its people to advance its legacy.
“Igba Mbo, Iga N’iru is both a charge and a celebration,” Areh said.
He said that for more than 500 years, the forebears of the Onitsha people had striven to build, protect and sustain the kingdom, adding that the responsibility of the present generation was to advance that legacy through culture, enterprise, youth development and unity.
“This Ofala, we honour the past by building the future,” he said.
The committee said the 2026 logo was conceived as a royal and cultural statement reflecting an institution that had endured for more than five centuries while remaining relevant, progressive and unifying.
It said the logo was designed to portray Ofala as more than a celebration of tradition, describing it as a living system of identity, leadership, order, resilience and advancement.
According to the committee, the swords in the logo represent royal authority, protection and continuity, while the beads symbolise identity, honour and cultural belonging.
It said the central plate carries the festival’s message with the dignity of a royal proclamation, while the line-up of Agbogidi, red chiefs and attendants captures the sacred moment of readiness before the monarch appears before his people.
The committee said the white sculptural relief in the design gives the logo a refined heritage feel, while the purple accents reinforce royalty and the Ofala brand identity.
“Every element was intentionally placed to connect the throne, the people, the culture and the future,” the committee said.
It described Ofala 2026 as “heritage in motion”, rooted in royalty and resilience and moving towards progress.
The committee said the Igba Mbo, Iga N’iru message was also a call to Ndi Onitsha and Ndi Igbo to strive and advance while preserving their cultural identity and heritage.
Among the highlights of the 2026 festival are the Iru Ofala, Azu Ofala, Oreze International Art Exhibition and Ofala Youth Carnival.
The committee said other initiatives would also be unveiled around the theme of Igba Mbo, Iga N’iru, as the kingdom uses the annual festival to connect its centuries-old heritage with its aspirations for the future.
