Abia State Governor, Dr.Alex Otti, has described arts and culture as powerful instruments for preserving identity, promoting social cohesion and driving economic growth, urging Nigerians to embrace their cultural heritage while harnessing creativity for sustainable development.

The governor made the remarks while declaring open the Abia State Arts and Cultural Festival, themed “Defining Us,” held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium in Umuahia, the state capital.

Represented by his deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, Otti said the festival reflected his administration’s commitment to showcasing the state’s rich cultural heritage while creating opportunities for artists, students and other stakeholders within the creative economy.

He commended the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy for partnering with House of Crystal Empire to organise the event, describing the initiative as a significant step towards strengthening cultural development and expanding economic opportunities through the .creative industry.

“The festival is a reflection of our determination to celebrate our identity, preserve our heritage and create sustainable opportunities for our people through creativity,” the governor said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting programmes that promote cultural preservation, youth empowerment, tourism development and innovation.

The festival featured art exhibitions, cultural displays, traditional dance performances and other creative presentations, attracting government officials, students, artists and members of the public, including the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adaeze Emetu.

In his address, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Matthew Ekwuribe, disclosed that the state government had identified more than 55 viable tourism and cultural sites across Abia for development.

According to him, the government is collaborating with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to upgrade key tourism assets, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, Azumini Blue River and Iwollo Waterfall.

Ekwuribe said the theme of the festival underscored the importance of preserving cultural identity, heritage and indigenous languages, stressing that culture remains central to the state’s development agenda.

“The creative economy has become a major contributor to economic growth globally. This makes it imperative for governments to invest in arts, culture and innovation,” he said.

He added that the students’ art competition and the Waste-to-Art Initiative introduced during the festival were designed to promote creativity, innovation and environmental sustainability among young people.

Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of House of Crystal Empire, Mr. Onyekwelu Chimdindm, encouraged students and emerging artists to remain committed to their aspirations, assuring them that dedication, resilience and hard work would ultimately lead to success.
He urged young creatives to continue developing their talents and seize opportunities within Nigeria’s growing creative economy.