The city of Asaba, Delta State, is set to host a vibrant celebration of African heritage as the Chybee African Cultural Festival and Fashion Exhibition takes center stage on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The event will take place at Orona Hall, Sweet Spirit Hotel, Okpanam Road.
The brainchild of Lady Chinyere Chukwudi Zimako — entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the Chybee Entrepreneurship Foundation for Women and Girls — the festival is positioned as a celebration of African identity, creativity, and cultural richness.
Lady Chinyere said the festival was born out of the belief that culture reflects the way people think and live. She emphasized that the festival would showcase African music and dance, cuisine, arts and crafts, folklore, spirituality, traditional healing practices, and more. “It’s about preserving African traditions for generations to come, while also positioning culture as a tool for unity, economic growth, and empowerment,” she said in an interview.
Beyond entertainment, the festival also promises business and economic benefits. It is expected to create jobs, attract local and international investors, and open doors for corporate sponsorship. Agencies like the NDDC and DESOPADEC have been invited to participate. Attendees will experience exhibitions of traditional fashion, indigenous food, handmade crafts, and even nomadic and diaspora cultures.
The event will also spotlight Africa’s rich cosmology, astrology, timekeeping methods, conflict resolution systems, and the sacredness of groves and forests. Masquerades, warrior performances, and traditional regalia will be on full display.
According to the organisers, the exhibition will offer a platform for the export of cultural products and help protect intellectual property rights. It will also boost government revenue through licensing and taxation.
Expected dignitaries include Mrs. Elder Tobore Oborevwori, wife of the Delta State Governor, alongside ambassadors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, artists, and members of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Lady Chinyere, who hails from Aguluezechukwu in Anambra State and grew up in Warri, is also the CEO of Zimako Oil & Gas Ltd. A graduate of Ambrose Alli University with a B.Sc in Computer Science and an M.Sc in Business Administration from Delta State University, she channels part of her success in oil and gas into women’s empowerment through her foundation.
Widowed since 2016, Lady Chinyere continues to advocate for the rights and potential of African women. “Widowhood is not a limitation,” she said, ” African women are resourceful, and with the right support, they can transform communities.”
With the Chybee Festival, she aims to reshape the narrative — one that positions culture not just as heritage, but as a viable driver of progress.
