Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, will go into seclusion on October 7 as part of activities marking the 2026 Ofala Festival.
A statement on Monday by the Ofala steering committee said the 25th edition of the festival will hold from October 7 to 25.
The seclusion, known as ‘Inye Ukwu N’Nlo Eze Onicha’, is the most sacred and private part of the Ofala ceremonial cycle.
The monarch will remain in seclusion through the four market weeks in Igbo land — ‘Orie, Afor, Nkwo and Eke’.
He will ceremonially emerge on October 11 in a ceremony called ‘Inyepu Ukwu N’Nlo Eze Onicha’, marking the end of the Umato (seclusion) period.
Other activities include ‘Ogbalido’, a feast of atonement for brave men and big-game hunters, on October 10; a medical and wellbeing outreach from October 12 to 15; and the Oreze Art Exhibition from October 13 to 18.
The Youth Carnival will hold on October 14, featuring music, dance, fashion and talent displays.
The committee said the main celebration, Iru Ofala, is scheduled for October 16, when the Obi will make his first public appearance after seclusion, bless his people and receive homage.
Azu Ofala, the second day of the public celebration, will hold on October 17 at Ime Obi, featuring cultural performances, masquerades and community engagement.
The festival will end with an interdenominational thanksgiving service on October 25 at Bishop Crowther Memorial Anglican Church, Egerton Road, Onitsha.
The 2026 festival sponsored by Globacom and Orijin, is themed “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru – Strive and Advance: From Resilience to Progress”.
Okechukwu Areh, chairman of the Ofala Steering Committee, said the theme builds on last year’s “Njiko na Ntachi”, meaning unity and resilience.
“For over 500 years, Ndi Onicha have shown igba mbo – resilience. Through every challenge we endured, adapted, and rose again. In 2026, we move forward to iga n’iru – deliberate progress,” he said.
Areh also thanked the festival sponsors and media partners including Arise
News, Afia TV, Afia Radio and Udala FM for their support.