Abia Moves to Preserve Igbo Heritage as Otti Reaffirms Commitment to Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy

The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to harnessing the arts, culture, tourism and creative economy as strategic tools for economic growth, youth empowerment, job creation and the preservation of the state’s rich cultural heritage.

The commitment was reiterated during the 2026 CANVAS and Culture Art Festival, themed “Defining Us,” organised by the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy in collaboration with House of Crystal Empire in Umuahia.

Declaring the festival open on behalf of Governor Alex Otti, the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, described art as one of the strongest expressions of human identity, capable of preserving history, inspiring innovation, promoting unity and telling the unique stories of communities to the world.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to this remarkable celebration of art, culture, creativity and identity, aptly themed ‘Defining Us.’ Today, we gather not only to appreciate artistic excellence but also to celebrate the stories, traditions, values and aspirations that shape who we are as a people,” he said.

Emetu stressed that the present administration recognises the immense potential of the creative industry as a catalyst for cultural preservation, tourism development, youth empowerment and economic diversification.

“As a government, we recognize the immense potential of the creative industry as a driver of cultural preservation, youth empowerment, tourism and economic development. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that showcase the richness of our heritage and the talents of our people,” he added.

He further urged participants, especially young people, to maximise the opportunities provided by the festival through exhibitions, cultural displays, workshops, networking sessions and other creative engagements, encouraging them to celebrate their diversity while proudly preserving their cultural identity.

Governor Alex Otti, represented by his deputy, also charged secondary school students and youths across the state to embrace the numerous opportunities available in the arts and creative industry, assuring them of his administration’s continued support for the sector.

The Deputy Governor commended the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy and the management of House of Crystal Empire for organising the festival, describing it as an initiative that will strengthen Abia’s cultural ecosystem, encourage collaboration among creative talents and expand economic opportunities within the sector.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Matthew Ekwuribe, called on the people of Abia and the entire South-East to take deliberate steps to save the Igbo language, culture and history from extinction.

Addressing secondary school students and other participants at the workshop and exhibition, Ekwuribe lamented the growing decline in the use of the Igbo language among young people, noting that many youths of Igbo extraction can neither speak the language fluently nor demonstrate adequate knowledge of their cultural heritage.

He assured that the Abia State Government is implementing deliberate policies and programmes aimed at preserving and strengthening the Igbo language, history and cultural values for future generations.

The commissioner also highlighted the remarkable transformation witnessed in the ministry since Governor Alex Otti assumed office in 2023, noting that arts and culture have now become strategic components of the state’s development agenda.

“In every part of the state today, we are witnessing tremendous transformation. Before now, it was difficult to organize programmes of this nature, but today we are seeing positive changes in every sector,” he stated.

Ekwuribe disclosed that the ministry is collaborating with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to revitalise major historical and tourism assets in the state, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu’s Bunker and other important Civil War heritage sites.

According to him, the rehabilitation of these historical monuments is part of the government’s broader vision of preserving Abia’s history while positioning the state as a major cultural and tourism destination.

He further explained that the CANVAS and Culture Festival was designed not only to promote artistic excellence but also to discover and nurture emerging talents, reduce youth unemployment and stimulate economic growth through the creative economy.

The festival featured art exhibitions, cultural displays, creative workshops and networking sessions aimed at celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Abia while inspiring a new generation of artists, cultural ambassadors and creative entrepreneurs.

See photos below: