An event to showcase and establish “Ofe Owerri” and drinks, a local cuisine, as a viable component of Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy while supporting the local food value chain and strengthening Owerri’s profile as a hospitality destination will be held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
Convenor and Executive Director of the International Hospitality Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF), Chibuikem Diala, said in a release made available to BusinessDay in Owerri.
Diala said the “Offe Owerri Food and Drink” festival, which is organized by the International Hospitality Tourism and Eco-Sustainability Forum (IHTEF) in collaboration with Culinary Arts and Culture Africa, will hold on January 3, 2026 at the Heartland Resort, Owerri.
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It will gather stakeholders in culture, tourism and hospitality and promote indigenous cuisine as a driver of tourism and economic growth and take indigenous food beyond celebration to economic relevance.
“The objective of the event is to establish local cuisine as a viable component of Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy while supporting local food value chains and strengthening Owerri’s profile as a hospitality and cultural destination.
“Offe Owerri is a local cuisine that has national meaning because beyond celebration, the festival is about establishing indigenous cuisine as a serious tourism and economic asset capable of driving destination attraction, hospitality development and value creation.
“To reinforce the cultural and historical significance of the dish within Owerri heritage, traditional rulers of Owerri Municipal Corporation, led by the Council Chairman, Eze Possible Uche, are also expected to attend the event,” he said.
According to him, the festival has received formal support from the Imo State Government, with an official invitation extended to Governor Hope Uzodinma and the state Ministry of Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, which is led by the Commissioner of the Ministry, Ernest Ibejiako.
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He said the festival is also supported by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Association of Professional Chefs of Nigeria (APCN), tourism professionals, chefs, policy makers and private sector stakeholders.
Corporate support for the festival includes Guinness, Fruta Juice, Campari and Mangrove, he added, adding that brand partnerships will include tasting sessions and experiential activities as well as cooking demonstrations, food tastings, cultural storytelling, competitions and entertainment.
