By VICTOR NWACHUKWU

The Imo Government has endorsed the Ofe Owerri Food and Drink Festival, a 2-day annual cultural celebration in Owerri, Imo, scheduled to take off on January 3, 2026.

The Imo Deputy Governor, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, gave the endorsement when the Convener of the festival, Mr Chibuikem Diala and his team, paid her a courtesy visit on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival is being planned by International Hospitality, Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF), Nigeria, in collaboration with Culinary & Culture Africa Ltd.

Ekomaru said the initiative was well timed as the state Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, had done a lot to sustain tourism and safety in recent times.

The deputy governor, a trained nutritionist, described the festival as a “welcome development expected to attract fun and revenue to the state”.

She thanked Diala for his hardwork and mental acuity that gave birth to the initiative and pledged the State Government’s support for the festival and other tourism initiatives in the state.

She said: “I have always known the convener to be a hardworking person and he has just shown that by bringing this cultural initiative at the right time.

“Our amiable governor has eased the tourism business in Imo by improving security, constructing and reconstructing major roads and inland roads across the state.

“This is a welcome development and I have no doubt that it will further reinforce our dear Imo as a tourist destination.”

Speaking, Diala, the Founder/Executive Director of IHTEF, thanked the State Government for its support and assured the Imo residents that the festival would not only drive tourism traffic, but also provide the opportunity for a “detty December“.

“The Ofe Owerri Food and Drink Festival, having been endorsed by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, promises to provide a mix of food culture and dance, as well as economic opportunities.

“By attracting both local and international visitors, we are positioning Imo as a hub for culinary tourism, while creating opportunities for farmers, food vendors, youth SMEs, FCMGs, and hospitality businesses across the value chain,” he said.

Speaking earlier on the festival, the Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Mr Jerry Egemba, in a statement on September 25, said:

“The festival aligns with the ministry’s commitment to promoting Tourism, Culture and Hospitality as drivers of economic growth and social cohesion.

“By celebrating Ofe Owerri, the king of soups as a cultural symbol, this event reinforces our identity, showcases our heritage and positions Imo as a proud custodian of Igbo culinary excellence.” (NAN)

•PHOTO; The Convener, Ofe Owerri Food and Drink Festival, Mr Chibuikem Diala, presenting the Festival’s logo to the Deputy Governor of Imo, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru (left).