Organisers unveil plans for poetry, drama, exhibition as 3rd Indigenous Art Festival Asaba begins Sept 25
By Emagha Ifeoma
THE organiser of the upcoming 3rd Indigenous Art Festival Asaba, Mr. Uba Washington, has outlined plans for this year’s festival, with poetry, drama, art exhibition and other creative activities scheduled to feature prominently. Washington unveiled these at a strategy meeting with festival personnel on September 1, 2026, where discussions centred on the proposed order of events, activities, exhibitions and publicity strategies for the festival.
The festival is scheduled for September 25 – 27, 2026 at the Indigenous Cultural Centre, Delta State Film Village, Anwai, Asaba. It has as theme, ‘The Echoes of Silence,’ and is dedicated to the victims of the October 1967 killings by the federal troupes. Now known as ‘The Asaba Massacre’, innocent Asaba citizens were murdered in cold blood during the Nigerian Civil War by the 2nd Infantry Division led by then Colonel Murtala Muhammed, who, as head of state, would be killed in a violent military coup nine years later in 1976.
Speaking on the significance of this year’s festival, Washington highlighted the dark history of the 1967 Asaba Massacre, noting that the festival will provide an opportunity to remember and honour those affected by the tragedy. He explained that the festival is intended to give attention to people and stories that have remained unheard, while using the arts as a means of expressing their experiences and calling for justice. It is for this reason that Mr. Uba said the festival focus is reflected in the theme, ‘The Echoes of Silence,’ as a way of remembering past injustices with a view to reddressing them.
According to Washington, the festival will feature poetry competition, with prizes to be awarded to the three best participants. He also stated that a poetry slam will be dedicated to honour Evelyn D’Poet Osagie, who passed on on 17 August 2025. Osagie was part of the inuagural festival in 2024 and played a significant role in making the first edition great.
He further stated that a drama presentation on climate change will be featured during the festival, alongside other interesting activities planned for the event. The yearly New Yam festival acitivity will also take place with new yams roasted and eaten with palm oil as celebration of Africa’s authentic spirit.
The meeting also addressed the need to create wider awareness for the festival and reach people both far and near through effective publicity and media engagement. Uba tasked the media team to disseminate relevant information about the festival and its planned activities to the public for wider circulation. He noted that everyone in Asaba and environ and the wider Delta State should hear and attend the 3rd edition of the festival.
The meeting formed part of the ongoing preparations for the 3rd Indigenous Art Festival Asaba, with organisers seeking to make this year’s edition more impactful than previous editions. Many school children will form part of activities, as a way of catching them young and immersing them in their own indigenous culture and way of life.
