In a bold move to harness its rich diversity as a tool for peace, Delta State has launched the inaugural MORE-Heritage Carnival. The event, a cornerstone of the state’s 34th-anniversary celebrations, is designed to transform cultural expression into a powerful engine for unity, security, and economic development.
Anchored in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, which aims to promote Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reformsand Enhanced Peace and Security. The carnival is more than a festival; it is a strategic framework for inter-ethnic cultural diplomacy. It aims to address historical misunderstandings among the state’s ten indigenous groups by building bridges through dialogue, joint performances, and shared celebrations under the banner “One Delta, One Destiny.”Key initiatives include training10,000 young culture citizens as Peace Ambassadors in conflict resolution and heritage innovation, and stimulating the creative economy to generate jobs and reduce insecurity. The carnival will also establish a Delta Cultural Tourism Circuit, aiming to attract over “1,000,000 annual visitors by 2027”.
In his remarks Mr. Victor Wilkinson Agih, Global Program Director of the Pan African Culture, Heritage Envoys for Economic Development Festival:“Culture is not just identity—it is our most powerful peace treaty. With the MORE-Heritage Carnival, we turn diversity into the architecture of security and solidarity.Mr Kelechi Freeman Ukadike,CEO of the DATCH Festival stated, “At 34, Delta must Move beyond ethnic acrinonies and celebrate diversity integration to promote Unity and shared prosperity”The rotating annual event is expected to draw massive participation, embedding cultural diplomacy into the state’s policy and peacebuilding structures for lasting change.
