Cultural diversity in Benue State was celebrated through dialogue, performance and public exhibition on 21 May 2026 as OWACDO partnered with the state Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism.
The event marked the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development under the theme “Culture Connects Us All.” It highlighted how heritage can strengthen identity while also supporting peace, inclusion and sustainable community development.
A vibrant display of Benue heritage
The programme featured a cultural procession, symposium, exhibitions, traditional dances, fashion displays and culinary showcases. Together, these activities presented culture as something living—expressed through movement, clothing, food, stories and shared public spaces.
Celebrating different traditions side by side can build curiosity and respect. It helps communities recognise diversity as a source of strength rather than a reason for division.
Dialogue links culture with peacebuilding
The symposium brought cultural practitioners, stakeholders and development actors together to discuss preservation, unity and the use of cultural heritage as a peacebuilding resource.
Community development is more sustainable when it respects the identities and knowledge of the people involved. Cultural dialogue can also create common ground, support social cohesion and make inclusion visible across generations and communities.
Preserving heritage for future generations
OWACDO’s participation reflects its broader commitment to dignity and inclusive development. Women and young people should have opportunities to preserve, interpret and benefit from cultural knowledge without being restricted by harmful practices or exclusion.
By partnering with the Bureau, OWACDO helped connect cultural pride with a forward-looking message: heritage can unite people, strengthen peace and contribute to communities in which everyone belongs.