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By Emma Njoku
A nongovernmental organisation (NGO) based in Delta State recently hosted the African Festival of Cultures and Empowerment (AFCE), an event that brought together culture, creativity and empowerment in celebration of Africa’s heritage.
The event featured activities, including presentation of business grants to 50 women, fashion exhibitions, award recognitions, and cultural performances, aimed at promoting excellence and empowering individuals across communities.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of the NGO, Lady Chinyere Chukwudi Zimako, described the AFCE as more than a cultural gathering, noting that it represents a platform for transformation and collective growth.
“It is an honour to stand before you, today, at the African Festival of Cultures and Empowerment, a gathering that celebrates not just who we are, but who we are becoming,” she said.
Zimako emphasised that the organisation’s mission extends beyond entrepreneurship to building confidence, creating access to opportunities, and nurturing a generation that understands that empowerment must be cultivated through effort and inclusivity.
She highlighted African culture as a powerful symbol of resilience and unity, capable of fostering peace and strengthening communities despite diversity.
“Our culture is not just in our attire, food, or music. Our culture is in our resilience, our ability to rise again and again, no matter the odds,” she noted.
Calling for unity across the continent, she stressed the importance of preserving cultural heritage while promoting peace and inclusiveness.
“Africa is rich in diversity, different languages, traditions, and identities, yet we are one people. It is our responsibility to preserve our heritage and promote unity in diversity,” she added.
Zimako also underscored the need to combine cultural pride with productivity, urging participants to move from potential to performance.
“Culture alone is not enough. We must match culture with capacity and pride with productivity. Platforms like this remind us that empowerment is a collective responsibility,” she said.
She further encouraged young people to remain focused and determined, assuring them that their background does not define their future. She also called on partners and stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives that drive empowerment and development.
The event featured a variety of attractions, including a fashion parade and exhibitions, performances by the Anioma Dance Troupe, Igbo cultural dancers, masquerade displays, as well as testimonials from beneficiaries and the unveiling of the foundation’s first batch of beneficiaries.
AFCE 2026 concluded with a call for unity, peace, and active participation in building a better Africa, with participants urged to become true ambassadors of empowerment and cultural pride.
