Igbo Heritage Awards, a distinguished capstone honour in Igbo land, has received further boost with its official endorsement by the Imo State Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture.
The endorsement was contained in a letter (MTH&C/S./105/1/67) dated October 3, 2025 and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir T.U.C. Nwokonkwo.
As stated in the letter, the Ministry expressed happiness to identify with the objectives and value propositions of Igbo Heritage Awards, which it said are consistent with the vision of Governor Hope Uzodimma for ‘sustainable heritage preservation and development of heritage tourism in Imo State and Igbo land’.
The letter further conveyed the Ministry’s special note of the theme of the 2025 edition billed to hold in Owerri in December (History, Heritage and Renaissance in Igbo Land: Imperatives for Socio-Cultural and Economic Transformation), observing that it ‘resonates with global trends and national agenda to harness the social, cultural and economic benefits of heritage preservation’.
Responding to the endorsement, the Principal Coordinator of Igbo Heritage Awards, Mazi Victor Nwokocha expressed gratitude to the Ministry and commended the Honourable Commissioner, Barr. Jerry Egemba for his proactive commitment to the development of the culture sector in line with Governor Hope Uzodimma’s vision of Shared Prosperity.
In his words: “The Imo State Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture has demonstrated once again, its commitment to the sustainable development of culture and heritage tourism, not only in Imo but across Igbo land. I thank Governor Uzodimma for giving us a proactive Commissioner who has relentlessly ensured that the Ministry delivers on its statutory mandate”.
He described Igbo Heritage Awards as a renowned capstone honour celebrating the legendary courage, resilience, collective self-empowerment, culture and greatness of Igbos, stressing that it is not just an Award ceremony but an advocacy platform for heritage preservation as well as a muster point for Igbo unity with a unique ideological focus on promoting collective heritage and values.
He added that though Igbo Heritage Awards is a regional event, it is driven in the context of a broader national agenda to strengthen social cohesion, foster African consciousness and energize the ecosystem of heritage tourism as a key enabler of economic growth.
Mazi Nwokocha informed that the 2025 edition of the Awards, billed to hold in Owerri on 19th and 20th December, would feature the Igbo Heritage Exhibitions, the Igbo Heritage Colloquium, conferment of Awards, induction into the Igbo Heritage Hall of Fame and a spectacular bouquet of entertainment incorporating music, dance, spoken word performances and stand-up comedy.
He said the event, which has also been endorsed by the South East Council of Traditional Rulers, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Culture, Tourism and Creative Arts, is open to partnerships, sponsorship and collaborations with great benefits.
