Nollywood festival celebrates cultural ambassadors for promoting Nigerian culture
By Damilola Akinwale –
Organisers of the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival (NCHF) have honoured cultural enthusiasts in recognition of their contributions to promoting Nigerian cultural diversity and values through their crafts.
Founded in 2012 by Chief Agility Onwurah Ifeanyi, the annual festival promotes and preserves African heritage through film, arts, culture, fashion, food and creative enterprise.
The award night of the 14th edition was held at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion, Abuja, on Saturday, as part of the closing activities of the 2026 cultural fiesta, which ran from October 22 to 24. The event, themed “Preserving African Heritage Through Film, Culture, Tourism and Creative Enterprise,” was organised in collaboration with the House Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Dr Onyekachi Nwaogu, director and clerk of the House Committee on Commerce, National Assembly, was recognised as the International Ambassador of African Culture. Other award recipients included Adaora Sydney-Jack, who received the title “Ada N’ekwuru Ora”; Prof. Munachimso Stella, recognised as “Adabuzo”; and Okiemute Mrakpo, named Ambassador of African Culture.
Nnena Njoku also received the title of International Ambassador of African Culture, while Dr Queen Dillion was conferred with the chieftaincy title “Ugosimba”.
Declaring the event open, Nwaogu said the turnout demonstrated public support for the festival and its collaboration with the National Assembly. He noted that culture and legislation were inseparable, stressing that legal frameworks were necessary to preserve cultural values and support related businesses. He urged the award recipients to see their recognition as a responsibility to contribute further to cultural preservation.
Speaking at the event, Onwurah said the festival had spent 14 years celebrating African culture and heritage. He thanked participants for their continued support, adding that the festival had featured discussions on how legislation could promote cultural preservation and create economic opportunities. He expressed optimism that the discussions would lead to practical steps to strengthen the cultural sector.
The festival opened with the unveiling of the Face of NCHF 2026 through a digital competition themed “My Culture. My Identity. My Story”. Other activities included African film screenings, youth cultural programmes and mentorship, a food festival showcasing indigenous cuisines, a fashion runway displaying traditional fabrics and contemporary African designs, and a cultural parade and awards ceremony honouring culture promoters, traditional rulers and industry stakeholders.
