By: Ike Philip Abiagom
The Obi of Igbuzo Kingdom, Obi (Dr.) Henry Chukwuma Ajudua, and his wife, Obi Okpoho Dr. Vivian Onyebuchi Henry-Ajudua, are set to lead the Anioma delegation to the 2026 Annual Igbo Worldwide Festival of Arts and Culture organized by the Council of Igbo States in the Americas (CISA).
The prestigious international cultural event, scheduled for July 31 and August 1, 2026, in Brunswick and St. Simons Island, Georgia, United States, is expected to attract thousands of participants from Nigeria, North America, and the global African diaspora.
The Igbuzo royal couple have been invited as Royal Guests of Honour and Cultural Ambassadors, a recognition of their commitment to cultural preservation, community development, and the promotion of Igbo heritage on the global stage.
The festival, themed “Global Igbo Unification: Healing the Broken Circle,” aims to strengthen ties among Igbo communities worldwide while celebrating the resilience, achievements, and enduring legacy of the Igbo people.
As traditional rulers and respected cultural leaders from the Anioma region of Delta State, the participation of Obi Ajudua and Obi Okpoho Vivian Henry-Ajudua is expected to highlight the rich history, traditions, and cultural identity of the Anioma people within the broader Igbo nation.
Obi Ajudua, who is also the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vebron Carre Conglomerates, has earned recognition in Nigeria and the United States for his contributions to education, healthcare, philanthropy, youth empowerment, and community development. His wife, Dr. Vivian Onyebuchi Henry-Ajudua, has equally distinguished herself through humanitarian and social development initiatives.
A major highlight of the festival will be a visit to the historic Igbo Landing on St. Simons Island, where participants will honour the memory of Igbo captives who, in 1803, resisted enslavement in what has become one of the most celebrated symbols of courage, freedom, and resilience in African history.
The royal couple will join other distinguished guests, including His Majesty Eze Chukwuemeka Eri (Eze Ndi Igbo and Ezeora 34th), CISA President Echiemeze Ofili, traditional rulers, scholars, community leaders, and members of the global Igbo diaspora.
Activities lined up for the festival include traditional music and dance performances, masquerade displays, cultural exhibitions, symposiums, leadership forums, historical reflections, and networking sessions aimed at promoting cultural identity, economic collaboration, and youth engagement.
One of the key moments of the event will be the presentation of a keynote address by Obi (Dr.) Henry Chukwuma Ajudua titled “Anioma: A Proud Igbo Heritage—Healing the Broken Circle Through Unity, Culture and Shared Destiny.”
The address is expected to focus on the historical significance of Anioma within the Igbo nation and the importance of cultural unity, heritage preservation, and collective development among Igbo communities across the world.
The participation of the Igbuzo royal couple further reinforces Anioma’s growing influence in global discussions on Igbo unity, cultural preservation, and diaspora engagement.
As preparations reach their final stage, the 2026 CISA Annual Igbo Worldwide Festival of Arts and Culture is widely anticipated to serve as a landmark celebration of Igbo civilization, bringing together history, culture, tradition, and the global diaspora in a renewed commitment to unity and shared destiny.