The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NAFEST 2018

  • At NAFEST 2018, every state is a winner

    The recently concluded 31st edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, has come and gone. But the positive vibrations generated still linger. Though four states – Rivers, Ondo, Bayelsa and Delta – came top as overall winners, almost all the participating states won one award or another. It is strategic and the idea of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is to foster a sense of belonging, acceptability and encouragement to be the best in developing and sustaining the huge Nigerian cultural value chain, particularly those common to each region or people.

    According to the Director-General NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe other winning states in certain significant areas would also feature not just for fancy, but as springboard to help highlight support for each state government, particularly the governors who are expected to mainstream culture and arts as vehicles of development.

    In Rivers State for instance, Governor Nyesom Wike invested heavily in culture and arts. With the 23 local governments showing massive and colourful strength, each council led by its chairman, Rivers emerging the overall winner of the festival was not unexpected.

    Unknown to many people, Rivers State is a mini Nigeria consisting of many ethnic nationalities.  Little wonder it came first in the traditional cuisine competition, second in children essay competition on contemporary arts, third in dance drama, third in indigenous fabrics in contemporary arts, and also third in Tales by Moonlight. Rivers hosting of the festival was arguably adjudged the best since the festival gained ground as unity festival about 31 years ago.

    Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State must be proud of investing in cultural human capacity building as his state came first in children essay competition, dance drama, third in Ayo games, first in Tales by Moonlight and third overall best state participant. Bayelsa State, -state of aquatic splendour and home of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, came second in the overall winners’ platform. Governor Seriake Dickson will surely be happy with the state winning the indigenous Fabrics in contemporary Arts prize. Interestingly, Governor Dickson has never failed to promote and show the power of Ijaw cultural heritage especially fashion since he came to office. Bayelsa also has it in local cuisine where it came third;came 3rd inchildren essay, second in Ayo games, fourth in Tales by Moonlight and thirdin traditional wrestling.

    Another oil rich and multi ethnic nationalities frontier in the South-South region of Nigeria is Delta state, which came first in traditional wrestling. Governor IfeanyiOkowa of Delta State must be happy with participants winning second best on local cuisine category, emerging fourth in Ayo games and fourth overall best winner category at NAFEST 2018.

    But from the north central, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) came fourth in traditional food cuisine, 4th on children essay writing competition, second in indigenous fabrics in Contemporary Arts and fourth in traditional wrestling competition. Indeed, the FCT administration did show a robust presence at NAFEST, an indication that it understands the value of culture and arts economy.

    And from North West was Kano State where Governor Ganduje administration saw its investment in children cultural education paying off as the state came first in children’s crafts competition. It is a future investment that may lead to the revival of crafts economy in the state noted for its rich arts and crafts especially leather works.

    KastinaState was not left out as Governor Bello Masari of Kastina took to culture and Arts as peoples’ economy with the state coming second in the children craft competition category.

    From the Eastern region was Ebonyi State famous, which is famous for its rice production camesecond in Tales by Moonlight category, fourth in children’s craft and second in dance drama category. Its Governor Dave Umahi was at hand in Port Harcourt to encourage the state contingent while Abia StateGovernor Ikeapzu was also at the festival with the state emerging fourth best outing in traditional dance drama. Abia showcased a strong presence that will take a long to forget.Niger Statecame fourth in indigenous Fabrics in Contemporary Arts and an award for consistent showing and participation at NAFEST. Edo Statewon the golden gong award, and the host state for 2019 edition of NAFEST, with a promise to give Rivers state a run for its money.

  • NAFEST 2018 ends in Port Harcourt

    The colourful display of the nation’s culture and tradition ended on a high-note in Port Harcourt yesterday as 25 participating states showcased the diversity of the nation at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2018).

    NAFEST 2018 which was described as a masterstroke saw Rivers State emerging as the overall best state of the festival.  Bayelsa State placed second, Ondo State took third place, while Federal Capital Territory emerged fourth place and overall fifth place went to Delta State.

    Traditional musicians, cultural dancers, traditional acrobats and masquerades displayed during the closing ceremony at the Sharks Stadium in Port Harcourt.

    Top government officials from different  states of the federation were led by the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, his Ebonyi State counterpart, Dave Umahi, the Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe joined thousands of spectators to appreciate the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria.

    Speaking at the closing ceremony, Wike said that NAFEST is not  just a competition, but a platform to promote the culture of the country.

    He said: “I see NAFEST not as a competition, but a showcase of our diversity and cultural heritage.

    “Let us use culture to unite this country. The entire country is here and we are celebrating in unity.  Apart from sports, culture is the uniting factor in Nigeria”.

    He described Rivers State as the economic nerve centre of the country, which is the most peaceful state for investment and hosting of events.

    “With the successful and peaceful hosting of NAFEST 2018, we have made another statement that Rivers State is safe and secure. Rivers State has hosted the PDP National Convention, NAFEST and the Presidential Visit without hitches”, he said.

    The Rivers State Governor announced cash gifts of five million naira to each of the participating 25 states.

    Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi said if politics and religion have failed the nation, culture will unite the country and enhance her greatness.

    He said that NAFEST Rivers 2018 will serve as a springboard for the greatness of the country.

    Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe said the outstanding Rivers Show proves that Nigeria is a great country.

    Chairman of the events, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra said that NAFEST 2018 did not disappoint as it achieved the core objectives of the festival.

    He said NAFEST 2018 has set a new standard by which future events would be measured across the country.

     

     

    Highpoint of the closing ceremony was the presentation of different categories of prizes  to winners.

    There was a colourful closing parade by the states, while guests witnessed a star performance by International Musician, Duncan Mighty.

     

  • Poverty alleviation tops NAFEST 2018

    Preparations for this year’s National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) holding in Port Harcourt Rivers State between October 21 and 27 have reached top gear as the state contingents are putting finishing touches to their participation.

    After a successful meeting of all 36 state Commissioners and Directors of Arts and Culture at Port Harcourt recently, the organisers of the festival, National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) is not leaving anything to chance as the outing in Port Harcourt promises to re-launch the unity festival into global acceptance and inclusiveness.

    Beyond the regular presentation and showcasing of Nigeria’s culture, arts, crafts and fashion, this year’s NAFEST in Port Harcourt, will create a strategic learning curve on how to alleviate poverty and enthrone a new rural sustainable cultural economy through skill acquisition and exposure to other multi beneficial contents related to Nigerian culture.

    Last year in Kaduna, which was the first under the watch of NCAC Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe there was a strategic manifestation of an enduring change and perception of the once neglected festival. But, the Port Harcourt edition of the festival will herald a massive repositioning of the entire gamut of Nigeria’s culture value chain beyond the pedestrian dance drama and accolades of mere street observers.

    According to Runsewe, the unity festival is coming at time Nigeria is becoming the destination to watch as President Buhari diplomatic shuttling across the globe has attracted some massive interest in Nigeria beyond the traditional business frontiers hence the repositioning of culture as the central bank of our creative wealth.

    In the same vein, at the just concluded private sector trade fair in Lagos, Runsewe showcased interesting sidelines of what NCAC will do in Port Harcourt. Already, Governor Wike of Rivers State has promised an enhanced and progressive collaboration to effectively re-jig policy orientation on Rivers very rich and unique culture.

    Interestingly, there are strong indications from the states thatthere is a very strong wind of competition among participants while the message of mainstreaming culture as an economic catalyst will be taken serious.

    Runsewe who is noted to have changed the narratives of Nigeria’s tourism evolution when he held sway at NTDC noted that NAFEST in Garden City will ‘gong’ to the world the best of Nigeria culture, its economic baseline and its diplomatic, unifying influence for national socio-economic and political development.

    He also noted that Nigeria culture which is very diverse and unique will help bridge gaps in the quest to build a conscious and consistent appreciation to the multi ethnic cultural colouration that abounds in Nigeria, regarded as a mini united nations.

    Given the level of preparation of the host state, Governor Wike may use the event to redirect cultural tourism traffic to the oil city and south-south region of Nigeria in general.

  • Rivers to make history with NAFEST 2018

    The Rivers State government has pledged to make this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) a world-class event.

    Governor Nyesom Wike gave the promise at the opening of the National Technical Committee meeting of NAFEST in Port Harcourt last week.

    Hosting a delegation from the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Wike, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo,  said an event as important as NAFAST goes beyond celebration. “Culture is a veritable tool upon which the strength of any given community can be sold to the international community and, as such, we are going to make this year’s NAFEST a festival with a positive difference,” he said.

    According to the governor, one of the best places for night life, natural cuisine and peaceful atmosphere any time of the year is the state. He added: “Rivers State has a very secure and safe atmosphere for all to work and relax without intimidation or harassment of any kind as against the negative impression the state has been subjected to by some fifth columnists.”

    He thanked the NCAC for choosing the state among others that bided for the hosting, promising that the Rivers State government would not to take the gesture for granted.

    NCAC Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, who is also the President of the World Craft Centre, African Region, thanked Wike and Rivers people for accepting to host the NAFEST slated to hold from October 21-27.

    Runsewe reiterated that one of the best ways for peaceful co-existence and unity in any given society is through their culture. According to Runsewe, “there cannot be a better time and way to celebrate ourselves in a positive light than this type of event”, noting that as the custodian of culture in Nigeria, choosing Rivers for such an important national event could only be seen as apt and timely.

    He assured the guests that this year’s festival would witness free eye test, waste-to-wealth, free skill acquisition, among others. Runsewe added that for the fact that over 31 states would be involved in the forth-coming NAFEST shows that the programme is moving to the next level.

    He observed that Port Harcourt being a state symbolically referred to as Nigeria’s treasure base and home of culture and tourism, NAFAST can only be seen as a done deal. He urged other governors to emulate  Wike’s gesture.