Vision, resilience, and cultural pride will converge on Saturday, July 25, 2026, as Egbe Emmanuel, CEO of Ivory Forte Entertainment Concept, leads the sixth edition of the Eko Heritage Awards at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island.
The theme for 2026, “From Adversity to Stardom,” reflects both Egbe Emmanuel’s personal journey and the reality of building credible platforms in Nigeria’s entertainment and pageant space.
Starting in Owerri: Learning the Work
Egbe Emmanuel entered the industry in 2016 in Owerri, Imo State, working as a brand manager for local companies. The job was practical: managing small events, coordinating talent, and learning how sponsorship and production worked in a market with limited structure.
His first major production came between 2018 and 2019 with Miss Starlet Africa for MT Entertainment. The pageant brought over 23 contestants from across Nigeria to Owerri, making it one of the larger regional events at the time. Managing logistics, contestant training, and sponsor expectations across multiple states gave him a clear picture of what it takes to run a credible pageant.
“That project showed me the gap between what people think pageantry is and what it actually takes to deliver,” Egbe says. “It was messy, educational, and necessary.”
The Move to Lagos and the Birth of Eko Heritage
By 2019/2020, Egbe made the decision to move to Lagos. He came with a plan for a new project — Eko Heritage — but without an established network in the city. “I knew if I could make sense in Lagos, I could make sense anywhere,” he says. “But Lagos doesn’t give you space because you ask for it. You take it by delivering.”
The first edition of the Eko Heritage Awards launched in 2021. The aim was straightforward: create a platform that honors individuals and brands preserving and promoting Lagos State’s cultural identity. In 2022, the platform received official endorsement from the Lagos State Government, a milestone that validated the work and expanded its reach across fashion, agriculture, media, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. Under Ivory Forte Entertainment Concept — the organization also behind Miss Eko International — the awards have grown into more than a ceremony. They are now a cultural movement.
The Other Side of the Industry
Ten years in the industry has also shown Egbe the less talked-about side of pageantry and events.
Beyond the glamour, there are controversies, rivalries, and what he calls “the hit.” Organizers who have been in the space for years sometimes work to undermine newer platforms instead of collaborating. “You’ll see people you worked with, supported, and helped, turn around to backbite and castigate your brand,” he says. “In this industry, some people think their role is to choke and spoil other people’s business just to stay relevant.” The effect is real. Sponsors become wary, contestants get discouraged, and the public begins to distrust the entire space. For Egbe, the response has been to double down on transparency and documentation. Every process at Ivory Forte is recorded, every commitment is followed through, and every honoree is vetted for actual impact.
He also believes government has a role to play.
“The pageant and cultural event space in Nigeria needs more structured support,” he says. “When government backs credible platforms, it protects the industry from fraud and gives young people a reason to believe that culture can be a career.”
Building for the Next Generation and the Future
While Egbe isn’t running a formal mentorship program, he makes himself available to young people in the industry.
“I will always be available for them, support them with the little I can, and guide them,” he says. “My focus is to inspire the next generation and show them that you can build something credible here.”
That focus is driving his next project: a talent hub designed to transform African entertainment. The platform is being built to reduce dependence on Western-owned apps and give African talent a space they control.
“It’s going to be a hub that will transform African entertainment,” Egbe explains. “We should not depend on the hubs of the West like Facebook and Instagram. We should build our own platform and support our own. My aim is to reach 20 million users across the world who will support this craft.”
Why “From Adversity to Stardom” Matters
The 2026 theme speaks directly to this reality. Lagos is a city of people building from limited resources, often in hostile environments. Entrepreneurs start small. Artists work for years before recognition. Young professionals create opportunities where none existed.
“Lagos is a city of relentless dreamers,” Egbe says. “Every success story here is rooted in struggle, determination, and courage. ‘From Adversity to Stardom’ is about recognizing those who turned obstacles into opportunities and are now shaping the cultural and economic identity of our society.”
The 2026 honoree list reflects that approach:
Personalities: Carter Efe, Mayor Frosh, Samuel Banks, Chidera Madu, Husband Material, DJ Yinx, Jochebeed Moshood, Kaycee.
Brands: Goldit Event Solutions, Bosslady Hairline, Classietabbie Beauty Empire, Top Studio, Royal Elite Tours, TVC Communications.
Looking Ahead to July 25 The sixth edition at the Lagos Oriental Hotel will feature a cultural display, live performances, and a national costume segment highlighting Lagos’ diversity. The production reflects the same approach Egbe has used since Owerri: plan properly, execute professionally, and document the process.
“Stardom isn’t just the night of the event,” he says. “It’s what happens when you decide to keep building after every setback. This event is for the people who did that.”
From directing Miss Starlet Africa with 23 contestants nationwide in 2018/2019, to leading a Lagos State-endorsed cultural platform since 2022, Egbe Emmanuel’s decade in the industry has been defined by consistency and accountability.
Under his leadership, the Eko Heritage Awards have become a record of how Lagos preserves its identity while creating space for new voices.