Preparations are in progress for the seventh edition of the Africa Ijaw Cultural Festival, scheduled to hold from August 7 to 9 at Admiral Porberni in Lekki, Lagos.
The announcement was made by Kuroghobogha Ibironke Fapohunda, President of the Ijaw Initiative Movement, during a stakeholders’ meeting in the city.
The annual event aims to celebrate Ijaw heritage, strengthen community bonds, and reconnect members of the diaspora with their roots.
The President described the initiative as a cultural advocacy platform dedicated to preserving Ijaw identity amid increasing migration.
“Many of our people travel extensively and risk losing touch with home,” she noted.
“This festival creates an opportunity for them to celebrate our shared culture, foster unity, and boost tourism within the Ijaw nation.”
Vice President of the movement, Comrade Richard Ebizimor Dagana, highlighted the global potential of Ijaw traditions.
“We possess a rich and diverse cultural heritage that deserves international recognition,” he said. “Our goal is to project Ijaw culture to the world stage.”
The three-day festival, organised in partnership with the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Silverbird, Rock Shield, and other stakeholders, promises a vibrant lineup of activities.
Highlights include traditional music performances, boat regatta, cultural displays, wrestling contests, Ebelebele dance presentations, singing and dancing competitions in indigenous languages, short dramas, a book launch, an awards ceremony, a symposium, and addresses by distinguished speakers.
Popular artistes are also expected to grace the occasion. Organisers say the event will not only entertain but also serve as a platform for cultural diplomacy and economic empowerment through tourism.
The Africa Ijaw Cultural Festival has grown into a significant annual gathering that showcases the richness of the Ijaw people across Nigeria and beyond.
