Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to harnessing the immense potential of the creative industry as a catalyst for cultural preservation, youth empowerment, tourism, and economic development.
Governor Otti made this known during the 2026 CANVAS Arts and Culture Day, organised by the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy in collaboration with the House of Crystal Empire to commemorate the 2026 World Arts Day. The event was held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, the Governor described art as one of the most powerful expressions of human identity, noting that it preserves the stories, traditions, values, and aspirations that define a people.
“Art is one of the most powerful expressions of human identity. It is about celebrating the stories, traditions, values, and aspirations that have shaped us as a people,” Governor Otti stated.
He noted that arts and culture play a critical role in preserving heritage, inspiring innovation, fostering unity, and providing communities with a platform to tell their stories to the world.
According to him, bringing together artists, students, cultural enthusiasts, and creative minds would strengthen Abia’s cultural ecosystem while creating opportunities for learning, collaboration, investment, and economic growth.
Governor Otti reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue supporting initiatives that promote the state’s rich cultural heritage and showcase the talents of Abians to the world.
He also encouraged participants to take full advantage of the exhibitions, cultural displays, networking opportunities, and creative engagements offered by the festival.
The Governor commended the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Doc Matt Ekwuribe, and the House of Crystal Empire for their vision, partnership, and dedication in organising the event.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Matthew Ekwuribe, said the arts and culture sector has experienced remarkable transformation under Governor Otti’s administration since 2023, noting that events of such magnitude were previously difficult to organise in the state.
He disclosed that the Ministry is currently collaborating with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to revitalise key tourism assets, including the National War Museum, Ojukwu Bunker, Azumini Blue River, Azumini Waterfall, and several other tourism destinations across Abia State.
According to the Commissioner, the state government has identified more than 55 viable tourist attraction sites, which are being developed in phases to stimulate tourism, attract investment, and expand economic opportunities.
“The first assignment given to me by His Excellency was to tour the state, identify these locations, and determine the viable ones. We have completed that task and are now working on them one after another,” Ekwuribe said.
He described Governor Otti’s leadership as visionary and transformational, adding that the emergence of a new Abia is being driven by purposeful governance, bold reforms, and a commitment to excellence.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Defining Us,” the Commissioner urged Abians, particularly the younger generation, to preserve their cultural identity, indigenous language, and traditional values.
“Our culture is our identity. We must continue to preserve our language, traditions, and values because they define who we are as a people,” he stated.
Ekwuribe further noted that the global creative economy has become a major driver of innovation, tourism, job creation, empowerment, and cultural diplomacy, stressing that Abia is positioning itself to become a leading destination for arts and culture.
He identified the secondary school art competition as one of the major highlights of the festival, providing young artists with opportunities to showcase their talents through painting, drawing, waste-to-art creations, and other creative expressions.
The Commissioner reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting artistic excellence, preserving cultural heritage, supporting creative talents, and positioning Abia as a hub for creativity, innovation, and tourism.
He also commended the House of Crystal Empire, artists, educators, students, cultural advocates, and other stakeholders for their contributions to the success of the festival.
“Together, through the power of arts and culture, we will continue to define our identity, showcase our heritage, inspire innovation, and build the new Abia envisioned by Governor Alex Otti,” he said.
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of the House of Crystal Empire, Mr. Chidindu Onyekwelu, applauded the collaboration between his organisation and the Abia State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, while commending the state government for prioritising the development of the creative sector.
The event featured art exhibitions, cultural displays, and an exhibition of artworks produced by students from various secondary schools. Governor Alex Otti, represented by Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, later inspected the artworks and interacted with participating artists and students.
