OFALA STEERING COMMITTEE – OFFICIAL CLARIFICATION

Age-Grade Winners Recognition at the 2026 Azu Ofala and the Globacom Royal Banquet

The attention of the Ofala Steering Committee has been drawn to enquiries regarding the age-grade dance groups recognized at the recent Azu Ofala and those honoured at the Royal Banquet hosted by Globacom in honour of His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, mni, CFR.

We appreciate this keen observation. It reflects the passion our community has for transparency and fairness, which are core values of Ofala.

We wish to provide the following clarification:

1. No new winners emerged at the Royal Banquet.

The official results from the Azu Ofala competition held at Ime Obi remain unchanged, sacrosanct and final. There has been no revision of the winners list.

2. What accounts for the difference in recognition.

In previous years, Globacom was affiliated with and supported all age-grade societies. This year, sponsorship architecture has evolved to allow wider participation.

Under the new structure, Globacom is affiliated with 60% of the competing age-grade societies, while the remaining 40% are affiliated to other esteemed sponsors and partners of the Ofala.

As part of its brand leveraging efforts at its privately hosted Royal Banquet, Globacom recognized and presented prizes to its affiliated age-grade societies that emerged victorious in various categories at the Azu Ofala.

Therefore, what was witnessed at the banquet was not a new competition, but a sponsor-specific celebration of its own affiliates who performed excellently.

3. On the Overall Winner.

The Overall Best Age-Grade Society for the 2026 Ofala is affiliated to another sponsor. That distinction remains intact and celebrated. The onus is now on respective sponsors to work out modalities for celebrating and leveraging the achievements of their affiliated age-grade societies, as they deem fit.

This new model is progressive. With Globacom no longer affiliated to all societies, other sponsors now have a distinct opportunity to build reputational capital and deepen their bond with their affiliated age-grade groups and the community.

We commend all age-grade societies for their outstanding performances, discipline, and display of Onitsha culture. Every group that performed deserves commendation.

We assure Ndi Onitsha and all friends of the Kingdom that the integrity, credibility, and time-honoured judging process of the Ofala remains protected.

Thank you.

Signed: Nn’emeka Maduegbuna
For: Ofala Steering Committee