By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Dec. 29, 2025
Mr. Chibuikem Diala, the Convener, Ofe Owerri Food and Drinks Festival, says the event will hold in Owerri, the Imo Capital, on Jan. 3, 2026.
Diala said in a statement made available to newsmen in Owerri on Monday that the event is aimed at positioning local cuisine as a viable component of Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy.
He said that the festival would also support local food value chains and strengthen Owerri’s profile as a hospitality and cultural destination.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ofe Owerri is one of the most expensive Nigerian soups; it is made with assorted meat (which is different parts of cow meat), snails, dried fish and stock fish.
Ofe Owerri is often referred to as soup reserved for the wealthy.
The festival scheduled to take place at the Heartland Resort, Owerri, from 1:00 pm, is organised by the International Hospitality Tourism & Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) in collaboration with Culinary & Culture Africa.
Diala said that the festival would assemble stakeholders in culture, tourism and hospitality, and promote indigenous cuisine as a driver of tourism and economic growth.
“The Ofe Owerri initiative is designed to move indigenous food beyond celebration into economic relevance.
“Ofé Owerri is a local delicacy that carries national meaning. Beyond celebration, the festival is about positioning indigenous cuisine as a serious tourism and economic asset capable of driving destination appeal, hospitality growth and value creation.
“To reinforce the cultural and historical significance of the dish within Owerri heritage, traditional rulers from Owerri Municipal led by the Chairman of the Council, Eze Possible Uche, are also expected at the event,” he said.
According to the convener, the festival has received formal endorsements from the Imo Government and the state’s Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, led by the Commissioner, Mr. Ernest Ibejiako.
The festival, Diala said, had also been endorsed by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), the Association of Professional Chefs of Nigeria (APCN), tourism professionals, policymakers and private sector stakeholders.
He explained further that corporate support for the festival included Guinness, Frutta Juice, Campari and Mangero, adding that brand participation will feature tasting sessions and experiential activations.
NAN reports that activities lined up for the festival include cooking demonstrations, food tastings, cultural storytelling, competitions and entertainment.
