HomeFeaturesUNESCO: Iri Ji Nd'Igbo Festival Eyes Global Heritage Status

UNESCO: Iri Ji Nd’Igbo Festival Eyes Global Heritage Status

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The federal government has undertaken to raise the profile of the Iri Ji Ndi’Igbo National New Yam Festival, highlighting its cultural significance and sharing its story with a broader audience, both at home and abroad.

During a courtesy visit to her office in Abuja, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, received a delegation of traditional rulers and representatives from the South East states, and assured them of her commitment to promoting the Iri Ji Ndi’Igbo National New Yam Festival on the world stage.

Minister Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa has confirmed her participation in the Iri Ji Ndi’Igbo National New Yam Festival, scheduled for August 31st, 2024, in Igboukwu, Anambra State, demonstrating her ministry’s dedication to celebrating and preserving Nigeria’s cultural traditions.

The Minister drew attention to the New Yam Festival’s potential for global recognition, likening it to renowned international festivals, and offered her ministry’s backing to enhance its visibility, particularly among Nigerians of Igbo descent in the diaspora, and promote cultural exchange.

She said: “The Iri Ji Nd’Igbo New Yam Festival is extremely important as the Argungu Fishing Festival and the Orisha Festival as well as all other internationally renowned festivals. The New Yam Festival deserves that same promotion and accolade.

“The New Yam Festival is a vital aspect of Igbo culture, and it is essential that we delve into this rich cultural heritage to showcase Nigeria’s diversity to the world.

“The ministry is committed to supporting the festival to attract attention from Nigerians of Igbo descent in the diaspora, tapping into the vast resources and potential for cultural exchange.”

Musawa committed to collaborating with UNESCO specialists to amplify the festival’s global reach, seeking its recognition as a valued cultural event, which would not only underscore the festival’s significance but also contribute to a cultural awakening in Nigeria, promoting its rich heritage worldwide.

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“Despite funding challenges, the ministry is committed to making the Iri Ji Nd’Igbo National New Yam Festival a flagship event for Nigerian culture and tourism and we will work tirelessly to ensure its success and recognition globally.”

A delegation of traditional rulers from the South-East states, headed by HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu of Oguta, Imo State, had earlier approached the ministry seeking vital assistance to ensure the success of this year’s festival, highlighting its importance to the region’s cultural heritage.

HRH Eze Sylvester Onuegbu expressed gratitude to the ministry for its contribution to the festival’s success, particularly through the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), which constructed the National Yam House in Igboukwu, serving as the national secretariat for the festival organizers.

“We are grateful for the ministry’s past support, but we need more to take this festival to the next level. This festival has suffered a serious setback due to the paucity of funds to enrich its cultural content and package it to national and international standards. We believe that with the right support, this festival can become a flagship event for Nigerian culture and tourism and enlisted by UNESCO”, said Eze Onuegbu.

The Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, described the Iri ji New Yam Festival as a global phenomenon, highlighting its widespread recognition and celebration, which has earned it a place on the international cultural calendar.

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