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By Zika Bobby
Christmas holidaymakers in Onitsha, the commercial heartbeat of Anambra State, were treated to five days of vibrant entertainment during the 2025 edition of the Golibe Festival.
The festivities kicked off on December 26 with the finals of the Ado Football League. The week continued with a colorful street carnival and high-energy music nights, culminating in a spectacular crossover night concert on Wednesday.
Indigenous rap sensation Jeremiah Ani, popularly known as Jeriq, headlined the event, delivering a performance that thrilled an ecstatic audience at the Chuba Ikpeazu Stadium.
Earlier, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, received the festival organisers at his Ime-Obi Palace, where he praised the youths and elders for the seamless organisation of the event.
Igwe Achebe described Golibe as a vital tool for cultural preservation. “Golibe was a creation of the youth and elders alike, started many years ago as a systematic way of handing down Onitsha culture to the younger generation,” he said.
The traditional ruler emphasised that while the Ofala remains the city’s primary festival, Golibe is the second major annual event, focused specifically on the “future of Onitsha in the hands of its youths.” He noted that the festival serves as a critical networking platform for Onitsha indigenes visiting from across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The Obi further highlighted the festival’s socio-economic impact, noting its role in reducing crime by engaging the youth in productive entertainment, business, and lifestyle activities.
“Golibe is designed to open up opportunities for our children in poetry, artworks, and plenary business. It is for organization building, youth development, and leadership,” the monarch added.
Brenda Nwagwu, a member of the Golibe Board, detailed the diverse lineup of events, which included masquerade displays, a pageant, handcrafted art exhibitions, and culinary arts.
Competitions were a highlight of the festival, featuring participation from the 16 traditional villages of Onitsha. Ogbeoza village took first place in the Carnival event, followed by Umuikem and Odoje in second and third places, respectively.
Nwagwu noted that this edition attracted no fewer than 10,000 participants, including artists and spectators.
“The festival was created by the Obi of Onitsha to bring together youths from across the world. It is the best way to create festive fun while ensuring the transfer of tradition to the next generation,” she concluded.
