By KALU MUSA

Agility Onwurah, President and Founder of Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival(NCHF), has said the 2026 edition will recognise cultural enthusiasts and other stakeholders for using their crafts to promote Nigerian rich cultural diversity within and outside the country.

He stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, the 14th edition of the annual cultural fiesta is scheduled to hold from Oct. 22 to Oct.24 at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion, Abuja.

He said the event themed “Preserving African Heritage Through Film, Culture, Tourism and Creative Enterprise,” is being organised in collaboration with the House Committee on Commerce.

Onwurah said the festival would specially celebrate stakeholders in the art, culture, tourism and creative sector.

He said the event would also feature the African Fashion Runway, with key industry players featuring as runway models to showcase Nigerian attire.

According to him, the platform will showcase traditional Nigerian clothing, with vibrant fabrics and distinct ethnic styles that reflect the country’s rich cultural diversity.

“We want to give awards to those who have contributed in promoting our rich cultural heritage across different industries, including film, fashion, art and other walks of life,” he said.

He said the festival would feature an African Food Fest, where communities and states would showcase indigenous meals and educate participants on their nutritional benefits.

Onwurah said the event would also feature cultural dances, cultural displays, comedy performances, film screenings and other activities highlighting African heritage.

According to him, the first day would feature “Egwu Onwa”(Moonlight Night) organised in partnership with Abuja Resident Musicians Association (ABREMA), with live music and traditional activities.

“In real African setting, it’s under the moonlight that they tell folk stories, that men discuss the day’s activities and women talk about their market,” he said.

Agility said the festival would also screen African films and present awards for the best film and best director and other categories for African-themed films.

He said the general awards would honour people who had supported others, embraced culture and contributed to the preservation of African heritage.

The festival founder said the Oct. 24 programme would focus mainly on the awards, with royal fathers, cultural enthusiasts and other invited guests expected to attend.

He said the festival would also feature panel discussions and keynote presentations on “culture and money,” focusing on ways to monetise Nigerian cultural heritage.

“We want people to know that in showcasing our culture, we can make money out of it,” Agility said.

He said the festival remained free because the organisers wanted everyone to participate in preserving African culture, adding that there was no ticketing.

According to him, participating stakeholders include the Nigerian Breweries and other corporate bodies.

“We believe that we can do things together to preserve African culture and see how we can make everybody know it,” Agility said.

He, however, called for more collaboration, especially with relevant public and private organisations, to sustain the annual cultural fiesta.

“The challenge has always been funds,” he said, adding that the festival had relied on friends, partners and personal funds for the past 14 years.

Agility called for partnerships and support through funding, advertising, participation and promotion of different Nigerian cultures during the festival.

“It can be you participating just by representing your culture. Bring your culture to the fore and we will put you in,” he said.(NAN)

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