Obi Of Onitsha Applauds Glo Over Commitment To Preserve Cultural Heritage

October 18, 2026October 18, 2026 admin

Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe.

Globacom was Friday lauded for its strategic support for the Ofala festival. Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha who gave this commendation, noted that the partnership had been instrumental in transforming the festival into a globally acclaimed cultural event.

At the 2026 Ofala Festival on Friday, the Obi of Onitsha gave a massive nod of appreciation to the technology company for being a principal sponsor of Ofala for the past fifteen years.

Noted Igwe Achebe: “Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival owes a great deal to purposeful partnership. Since 2011, Globacom has stood with us as our principal partner – now fifteen consecutive years of unwavering commitment.

“In good times and challenging times, Globacom has helped us preserve the authenticity of Ofala while enhancing its presentation, documentation, broadcast and global reach. They have helped take a living heritage to the global stage”.

Agbogidi praised the vision of the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., for his commitment to the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Added he: “I thank Globacom and its Chairman, Otunba (Dr.) Mike Adenuga, Jr., GCON, a true man of culture, for his vision and belief that culture is not a luxury but a foundation for unity”.

He added that the theme of this year’s edition, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” – Strive and Advance – was “a call to industry, to excellence, to self-improvement and to collective progress.

Stated he: “It reflects the spirit of our forebears who built a kingdom on the Niger, and it speaks to our youth who must carry that heritage forward with enterprise and purpose”.

Offering his warm regards to the Igwe and the good people of Onitsha, Dr. Adenuga said, “our association with the Ofala Festival since 2011 has been much more than a corporate partnership. It has been a relationship which we cherish deeply and regard as a privilege”.

He thanked the Igwe for letting Globacom help keep this incredible heritage alive and celebrated.

Said he: “It gives us great satisfaction to join Your Majesty and the people of Onitsha each year in showcasing to Nigeria, Africa and the wider world the beauty, dignity and enduring values represented by Ofala”.

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October 17, 2026 admin 0

South-African Pastor, Wife Nabbed Over 200 Found in ‘Illegal Rehab Centre’

Police at the rehab. Police in South-Africa Thursday, October 15 arrested a pastor and his wife after a raid on a church-run rehabilitation centre in Mpumalanga province revealed shocking living conditions. Around 200 victims were discovered at the facility, including children and adults believed to be receiving treatment for drug addiction, local media reported. Some were reportedly chained together, while others had untreated sores on their bodies. Inspectors also found over-crowded sleeping areas, broken toilets and no running water. The centre was operating without the required authorisation, disclosed authorities. Officials said the pastor and his wife had reported that they could accommodate just 60 people. However, the inspection uncovered more than 200 residents, including at least 30 women. An 11-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were also found sharing accommodation with adults. The Department of Social Development said residents were required to pay 3,000 Rand, approximately $182, each month. Nearly half of the fees reportedly went to the church. Following the raid, 14 people were admitted to hospital for medical attention, while 132 others were returned to their families. The couple faces kidnapping charges, with police investigating whether further offences were committed. They are due to appear before a court on Monday. The case has raised fresh concerns about the growing number of illegal drug rehabilitation centres in South-Africa. Authorities have been struggling to tackle unregistered treatment facilities amid increasing demand for addiction services. In 2025, the Department of Social Development identified more than 100 centres operating illegally nationwide, with the highest concentration in Gauteng, the province that includes Johannesburg.

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October 16, 2026 admin 0

Visual Impairment Shouldn’t Be Barrier To Acquire Knowledge From Reading – Asein

Visual impairment should not deny victims equal participation, inclusion, access to knowledge acquired through reading, the Nigeria Copyright Commission (NCC) has sued. This position was contained in a statement offered by the NCC director-general, Dr. John Asein on the occasion of White Cane Day 2026. The inability to read conventional print, he maintained, should never become a barrier to education, research, professional advancement, creativity or participation in our cultural and intellectual life. The theme for this year’s White Cane Day is “Promoting Independence, Inclusion and Equal Access for Persons Who Are Blind”. The full statement below: “The Nigerian Copyright Commission joins blind, visually impaired and otherwise print-disabled persons in Nigeria and across the world in commemorating White Cane Day 2026. “This year’s theme, ‘Promoting Independence, Inclusion and Equal Access for Persons Who Are Blind,’ is a timely reminder that the white cane is not only a mobility aid, but also a symbol of dignity, independence and the right to participate fully in society. “For the Commission, equal participation must include equal access to knowledge. The inability to read conventional print should never become a barrier to education, research, professional advancement, creativity or participation in our cultural and intellectual life. “The Copyright Act, 2022, particularly section 26, provides an important legal framework for addressing this challenge and gives effect to the principles of the Marrakesh Treaty to Facilitate Access to Published Works for Persons Who Are Blind, Visually Impaired or Otherwise Print Disabled. It permits the production and supply of accessible-format copies for beneficiary persons through authorised entities, subject to appropriate safeguards, and facilitates lawful cross-border exchange of such works. “The task before us is therefore to move decisively from legal provisions to practical access. To this end, the Commission is advancing the establishment of a National Accessible Book Portal as a major instrument for operationalising the provisions of the Copyright Act. The Portal is envisaged as a trusted national platform for identifying and facilitating access to books and other works available in accessible formats. “It will support authorised entities, improve the discoverability of accessible works, reduce unnecessary duplication and promote collaboration among authors, publishers, libraries, educational institutions, organisations of persons with disabilities and other stakeholders. “Importantly, the Portal is also intended to build trust across the copyright ecosystem. Authors, publishers and other right holders should have confidence that accessible-format copies will be produced and used transparently and in accordance with the law. At the same time, authorised entities and beneficiary persons should have a clear, efficient and predictable system through which accessible works can be identified and lawfully obtained. “The Commission also calls on authors and publishers to become active partners in expanding access. Books should, wherever practicable, be made available in accessible formats, rather than leaving persons with print disabilities to depend solely on subsequent conversion under statutory exceptions. “More importantly, the publishing industry should increasingly embrace the principle of “born accessible” publishing by designing and producing books and digital publications from the outset in formats compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies. This should become part of good publishing practice, not an afterthought. “The Commission’s current initiatives build upon its longstanding “Let the Blind Read” campaign and its continuing engagement with organisations of blind persons, authors, publishers, libraries, educational institutions, technology providers and development partners. No child should be disadvantaged because a textbook is inaccessible and no one should be excluded from knowledge because they read differently. “Once again, on this White Cane Day we call on everyone to Let the Blind Read”.

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October 16, 2026 admin 0

Oil Pipeline Explodes In Rivers…’Injures 20, Damages 50 Houses’

A gas pipeline explosion which reportedly occured in Aleto community, Eleme LGA of Rivers State has caused injuries to no fewer than 20 persons and about 50 houses damaged. The explosion, it was gathered, occurred around 5:00pm on Thursday after a pipeline belonging to the Nigeria Gas Company ruptured along Old Bori Road in Aleto. The report said several victims were taken to hospitals for treatment, while the explosion also affected stalls and a mechanic workshop where vehicles were parked. Residents said the pipeline had been leaking for about three weeks before the explosion. They added that the community leaders had notified the company about the leak but that no adequate measures were taken to address it. The report said those affected included passers-by and traders operating in the area. Daniel Chuma, leader of the Eleme Legislative Council, who visited the scene, said he had written to the company about the leak and petitioned relevant authorities, but no concrete action was taken to prevent the explosion. Chuma said no representative of the company had visited the scene since the incident. He added that community members had taken steps to secure the area and prevent further casualties. A video circulating on social media shows residents scampering for safety at the scene of explosion. Blessing Agabe, police spokesperson in the State, was not immediately available to confirm the incident.

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