Cultural Bridgebuilder Nze Tobe Osigwe Joins Things Fall Apart Festival 2025: A Cultural Synergy of Story and Spirit

 

The Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 has taken a compelling turn with the participation of Nze Tobe Osigwe, a revered cultural figure and the youngest Ozo title holder in Nnewi. Known widely for his depth of knowledge in Ìgbò cosmology and his celebrated work as a screenwriter, Nze Tobe’s endorsement of the festival signifies more than just another high-profile addition—it marks a fusion of tradition and forward-thinking artistic exploration.

At the heart of this year's festival lies the aspiration to not only celebrate Chinua Achebe’s seminal work Things Fall Apart, but to reimagine its themes, characters, and lessons for new generations of readers, viewers, and thinkers. That journey has found a worthy guide in Nze Tobe, who recently hosted the Festival Planning Committee at his ancestral residence, Obi Eziokwu. The meeting unfolded as a profound dialogue, layered with cultural references, oral histories, and animated discussions about the transformative role of visual storytelling in preserving literary and indigenous heritage.

Far from being just a ceremonial figurehead, Nze Tobe Osigwe is a dynamic force in Nigeria’s storytelling landscape. His career in Nollywood reflects a consistent thread of cultural advocacy. Through screenplays that challenge clichés and uplift Ìgbò narratives, he has emerged as a voice of both reverence and revolution—honouring the wisdom of the ancestors while speaking fluently to the aesthetics and sensitivities of modern media.

The significance of his involvement in the Things Fall Apart Festival cannot be overstated. Achebe’s novel, now entering its 67th year since publication, remains a cornerstone of African literature. However, its continued relevance hinges on the ability of cultural stewards to breathe new life into its pages. That is exactly where Nze Tobe’s input becomes invaluable. His commitment to authenticity, his fluency in the proverbs and philosophies of the Ìgbò world, and his mastery of cinematic language all align seamlessly with the festival’s mission to blend memory, meaning, and media.

Hosting the planning committee at Obi Eziokwu was not merely symbolic. The obi, a traditional gathering space, provided fertile ground for reflection on the communal values and moral tensions central to Achebe’s narrative. With the ancestral spirits as silent witnesses, the conversation turned to the critical role of imagery, film, and performance in amplifying the story of Okonkwo and his rapidly changing world.

Nze Tobe’s embrace of the festival sends a message beyond the cultural enclave of Nnewi. It reaffirms the idea that preserving our stories is not about nostalgia alone—it’s about agency, about who gets to tell our stories and how those stories are received across time and space. His involvement brings both weight and momentum to the festival’s goal of re-contextualizing Things Fall Apart not only as a literary classic but also as a living text—one that breathes through music, film, oral performance, and interdisciplinary dialogue.

As preparations for the 2025 edition of the festival gather pace, organisers have underscored the need for partnerships that uphold the integrity of Achebe’s work while exploring new formats. With creative innovators like Nze Tobe Osigwe onboard, the event promises to transcend a mere commemoration—it becomes a site of cultural negotiation and artistic reawakening.

The Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 is expected to draw scholars, creatives, students, and community leaders from across Nigeria and the diaspora. Amid panels, screenings, live performances, and installations, Nze Tobe’s contributions are poised to anchor several sessions exploring how African storytelling can reclaim its rhythm and resonance in the digital age.

By aligning with the Centre for Memories and the broader #TFAAt67 movement, Nze Tobe continues a tradition of cultural guardianship that connects past and present. His journey—both personal and professional—embodies the very spirit of Things Fall Apart: the struggle for identity, the cost of modernity, and the courage to tell one’s story with clarity and pride.

The road to the festival is paved with anticipation, and Nze Tobe Osigwe’s footsteps echo with the promise of something truly memorable. His presence, much like Achebe’s prose, reminds us that stories endure not because they are old, but because they are true. 

*this is a sponsored post | contact@nnewi.ng