Okpa Fiesta Team Seeks Partnership With Aguata APGA Candidate, Ofobuike, Cites His Developmental Track Record
By Chibuzo Obidike | IchieTimes
The organising team of Okpa Fiesta has sought a stronger partnership with the immediate past Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area and candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance for Aguata Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, citing his consistent support for youth development and initiatives that create opportunities for young people.
The team, led by the convener, Ms Lucia Enahoro, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to Dr Ofobuike ahead of the fifth edition of Okpa Fiesta scheduled for December 12, 2026.
Enahoro expressed appreciation for Ofobuike’s support over the years, recalling his participation in the maiden edition of the festival, where he joined young people in the cultural activities and social engagements that defined the event.
She said his presence and encouragement made the organisers feel recognised and motivated them to sustain the initiative, which has grown into a platform for celebrating indigenous food culture, promoting young businesses and connecting young people.
The convener described Okpa Fiesta as more than a food festival, explaining that its vision, captured in the theme “Eat, Play and Connect,” is to bring young people, entrepreneurs and creative minds together while promoting cultural heritage.
She formally invited Ofobuike to the fifth edition and presented him with a gift in appreciation of his support.
Responding, Ofobuike commended the organisers for sustaining the initiative through successive editions, describing their consistency as evidence of dedication, perseverance and a clear commitment to excellence.
He said he understood the demands of organising events and sustaining public interest, noting that each edition of a successful festival must offer something better to participants.
The former Mayor praised the team for building a platform that combines cultural identity with business networking and youth engagement and also recalled attending the maiden edition and expressed pride in the organisers’ progress.
Ofobuike linked his interest in the initiative to the importance of creating opportunities for young people, a commitment reflected in his support for youth development programmes, including the Aguata Best Student Challenge.
He said through the programme, outstanding students have had opportunities to travel beyond Nigeria, with previous participants visiting Lagos, Accra in Ghara, Cape Town in South Africa and Kigali in Rwanda as part of efforts to broaden their exposure and encourage ambition.
The visit comes amid the organisers’ wider engagement with businesses and institutions to build partnerships around the fifth edition with previous engagements with Infinity Tech and Naira Rice highlighting opportunities for collaboration in youth development, cultural promotion, entrepreneurship and event support.
The organisers said such partnerships would help strengthen Okpa Fiesta as a sustainable platform where culture meets enterprise and young people can build useful networks.
