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Tag: NAFEST

  • Runsewe endorses Press Gallery for AFAC, NAFEST

    The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Director-General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has approved Press Gallery as a platform to showcase its flagship programmes, the African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC) and National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), billed for August and October.

    He made this known when the Press Gallery team led by its Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, Isiaka Mustapha, a visited him  in Abuja.

    He noted that the invitation to cover NCAC’s events would only be extended to  worthy professionals in media practice.

    Runsewe said with the reportage by  Press Gallery, he had no doubt that the Africa Arts And Crafts Expo 2017 would be well covered.

    He said: “Having distinguished yourself with outstanding reportage, I have the strong belief that with you on ground during the forthcoming AFAC and NAFEST, the entire world will be adequately informed through your reliable and dependable coverage network.’’

    He added that guests, governors and commissioners’ contacts would be given to the team to link them up with the council’s activities during the event, noting that time had come for Nigerians to celebrate their own, especially performing media organisations, such as  Press Gallery.

    Runsewe praised the editorial team of Press Gallery led by Mustapha for giving the council coverage, despite the short notice.

    “You have been giving prompt coverage to all our events and we are so excited. Take it from us that we shall partner you in all our activities,” he promised.

    Mustapha expressed his gratitude to the DG for being a committed father and supporter of Press Gallery media organisation, saying: “It is indeed, a great day for me and my team to stand before you and your highly committed management team to express our support and appreciation for all your kindness and sterling attributes.’’

    Isiaka added: “As a body, we couldn’t have stood without your support, generosity and magnanimity while we were building our permanent corporate headquarters, which you declared open in 2013. You remain one Nigerian who is detribalised and a man of honour and integrity in all dimensions.”

    He congratulated Runsewe on his appointment, adding: “We are here to felicitate with you on your new appointment as director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture. Like the transformation you recorded in the tourism industry, it is our belief that your tenure in the culture sector shall also reach enviable heights.’’

  • ‘I did my best at NAFEST competition’

    ‘I did my best at NAFEST competition’

    The recently concluded 28th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) 2014 with the theme Celebrating Nigeria @ 100: The Role of Culture as a Vehicle for National Unity held in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital may have come and gone, but many Nigerians will not forget the festival in a hurry.

    Of the 14,259 participants and spectatorsthat attended  the seven-day festival, a Senior Secondary School 3 pupil of Twelve Apostles College, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Miss Chinaza Igwe had more than unforgettable experience. She represented Ebonyi State in the National Children’s Essay Writing Competitionfor SSS1-3on the topic My Role as Culture Ambassador in the 21st Century. She beat representatives from six other states to emerge overall best in the competition.

    Igwe said her English Language teacher at the college prepared her for the challenge noting that she was nervous during the essay writing competition.

    “My teacher kept on teaching us on how to write essays on different topics. But in the hall during the essay writing, I was nervous at the beginning. I was nervous because of the expectation from my school principal and teachers as well as classmates. So, I decided to do my best,” she said.

    The SS3 pupil who also won the National Green Essay competition held in Abeokuta last September, said she dedicated the award to God and her class teacher.   

    This year’s festival was declared open by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and grand patron of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) ably represented byVice President Namadi Sambo.

    In the march past, 18 states and the FCT showcased the best of their acrobatics, dance and costumes accompanied by various musical renditions. The festival as its tradition showcased competitive and non-competitive events. The competitive events included: Children’s essay writing competition, children’s drawing/painting competition on Celebrating Nigerian Unity @ 100, traditional children’s Storytelling, Ebonyi State got the first position. For the Traditional Wrestling (Intermediate Category 55kg – 65kg) Competition of NAFEST 2014, the first position went to Niger State.

    In the traditional furnished apartment event in which the states showcased the best of indigenous architectural designs and techniques, Bauchi State clinched the first position; while in the arts and crafts exhibition, Ebonyi State won the first position. For the Traditional Dance music (Stage and DVD Presentation) event the first position went to Akwa Ibom State. The area of cuisine was not left out as the Traditional Cuisine event saw Ebonyi State clinch the first position.

    Some special awards were also given such as: Best costumed state – Delta, Ebonyi, Benue and Taraba States; largest Contingent – Niger State (130 participants), Minister’s golden gong – Ebonyi State (for most impressive entry at NAFEST 2014), most consistent state at NAFEST went to Katsina State.

    NAFEST is designed to serve as a veritable index for cultural exchange, marketing and promotion and as a forum for the exchange of ideas. It has over the years evolved as a creativity fair that unites the nation through various manifestations of the rich and diverse cultures of Nigerians as well as become a veritable instrument for the actualisation of government’s development objectives through the instrumentality of our rich and diverse cultural heritage.

  • ‘I will raise the bar for the council’

    This year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) ended in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, last Sunday. It recorded many firsts. Aside having the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as special guest of honour (first time the Presidency will be so represented),the festival was led by a woman Director-General, Mrs. Dayo Keshi. Also, the host state, Ebonyi, won the giant gong as the overall best state, despite being a first time host. Nineteen of the 36 states attended the festival, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, who was at Abakaliki.

    Like at the opening, cheers from the crowd at the closing of this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) at the Abakaliki Stadium, captured the mood and great expectation of the art community.

    With an early morning rain providing a soothing weather, states delegation filed out in colourful attires as the curtain was drawn on this year’s festival. For states that won laurels, especially the host, Ebonyi, it was dancing and jubilation galore.

    It was the first time in the history of the 44-year-old festival, that the Presidency would be represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who declared the festival open last Tuesday. Expectedly, the host state justified its 18 years’ wait with adequate preparations for this year’s festival described by many as successful, despite seeming low attendance by states. Absenteeism and lateness of states to the festival may have threatened the objectives of the festival.

    Observers blamed this on the delay in release of funds to the state art councils as well as the increasing political campaigns. “It has become a recurring decimal that any NAFEST held a year preceding the general elections always suffers setbacks as most governors are more concerned about how to retain or capture power at the polls. Unfortunately, such shift by the governors is always at the expense of the spirit of the festival,” according to an observer. For instance, from the Southwest zone, only Oyo State was in attendance, while Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa were the states from Southsouth zone that attended the festival. Delta State came in the morning of the closing day.

    Worried by this trend, the newly appointed Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) organisers of the yearly festival, Mrs Dayo Keshi, said the council would as a matter of priority look into the many challenges of the states including lateness to festival, late release of funds, inadequate preparations among others.

    “Over two third of the states attended this year’s festival. But, we will be looking at these challenges of the states. We will connect with the governors on the need for full participation of the states. The few states that come early often emerge as winners. NAFEST belongs to us; it gives us the platform to showcase the rich culture of the people and should be nurtured by all. In fact, I will adopt advocacy as part of methods to spread the message,” she said.

    Notwithstanding, Keshi described this year’s festival as very successful because the host governor, Chief Martins Elechi showed special enthusiasm and support for the festival, including provision of facilities and security for all.

    She observed that the country’s cultural industry is yet to take its rightful position though music, movie and fashion have made significant impacts on the nation’s economy. She stressed that the success of these genres has proven that if the sector is well structured and funded it would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

    “Every local government area has something special and peculiar that can be made economically viable. I am hoping that we would be able to put in place some structures to that effect. Again, we hope to create a market for art and crafts that will attract tourists. But for it to thrive, it needs government support and the creative industry will consequently stem the influx of unemployed youths to the cities,” she added.

    On whether she will stick to the existing  programmes of the council, she said: “There are always rooms for improvement. Art and Craft Expo and NAFEST are two major programmes of the council. But, I will raise the bar of the programmes. I am quite happy with the concept of NAFEST and AFAC, and I will look at the aspects that will make it economically viable.”

    Although the new chief executive appreciates continuity, but she is not lacking in new ideas that would raise the bar. She  is considering how to package the different components of the festival as marketing platform to the public all through the year. According to her, having such cultural events that will attract corporate sponsors will be an added opportunity for the growth of art and crafts.

    “It will be a private-public partnership (PPP) at different levels while we still seek sponsorship. The idea of running the different components is to enhance packaging. Once packaging is done right, sponsors will come after us,” she added.

    The former director, Culture Industry and Heritage at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation said she was excited at her new appointment and that it was good someone from the sector was appointed to continue the job. She noted that having worked on the policy formulation side for over three decades, it is exciting to be on the other side to  contribute to the growth of the sector.

    Asked what she would be remembered for, she said: “I hope that at the end of my tenure, culture sector would have empowered the artists, raised the bar and every part of Nigeria would see culture as most efficient way to show Nigeria to  the world. Then culture would be one of the sectors that will not be looked down upon.”

    Director, Human Resource Management, NCAC, Mallam Ado Mohammed Yahuza said the festival events were packaged in tandem with the theme of the festival-Celebrating Nigeria @ 100: The role of culture as a vehicle for national unity. He noted that the emphasis on youths at the festival events underscores that the future belongs to the youths using culture to foster unity of the country. ”.

    According to him, Ebonyi State like Bayelsa lived up to expectation despite being a first time host of the festival. “This is not the first time a new state will host the festival. We have been in Bayelsa twice and the festival went well. We always do our survey before the hosting of the festival. In the same vein, Ebonyi State has been generous in providing security and logistics including venues,” Yahuza said.

    Earlier at the opening, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by Vice president Namadi Sambo pledged greater commitment to the development of the nation’s creative industry.

    He expressed delight that in spite of numerous challenges confronting the nation, NAFEST was held in a convivial atmosphere. According to him, it has become obvious that the annual festival is not only strategic to the protection of the people’s culture and tradition, buthas great potentials for engaging the teaming unemployed youths.

    He said there is a nexus between arts and culture and the economic growth of any nation.

    “The event is high profile in nature and the celebration will manifest abundant grace for the nation outside the country”, he said.

    He stated that the one-week cultural fiesta would provide another platform to re-echo the Centenery message with which the nation celebrated its 100 years of nationhood.

    ”NAFEST is affirming that there is a lot from our culture that binds us. As we move into another century, it is our collective duty to leverage on these for promoting our oneness and uniqueness as Nigerians and as a way of moving the dreams of our founding fathers nearer to realisation”, Mr. President stated.

    Commending Governor Martin Elechi for taking the challenge of hosting this year’s festival, Mr. President highlighted the place of the private sector in promoting the festival. He, therefore, assured the provision of enabling environment for any organisation or group that picks interest in investing in the nation’s culture and tourism sector.

    This year’s festival featured colloquium,

    dance-drama, children painting and drawing, traditional cuisine, traditional architecture, story- telling and traditional wrestling among others.

     

  • Ebonyi ready for NAFEST

    Ebonyi ready for NAFEST

    Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi has said the state is ready to host, for the first time, the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

    He told a delegation of the chief executives of culture, who visited the state to assess its preparedness that he was thrilled by the choice of the state to host NAFEST 2014.

    Ebonyi State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Chief Hyacinth Ikpor said the state had prepared for the event, adding that it would promote unity and project the state as a tourist destination.

    The General Manager, Ebonyi State Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Moses Oshibe, said the event would boost the state’s economy and enhance understanding and socio-cultural relations among ethnic groups.

    A resident of Abakaliki, Prince Agwu, said NAFEST would give the state the opportunity to showcase its talents.

    The theme of this year’s edition is: “Celebrating Nigeria at Hundred: The Role of Culture as a Vehicle for National Unity”.

    An indigene, Mr. Augustine Igbo, said he was not satisfied with the preparation. He advised government to pay attention to the development of its tourist sites to enhance revenue generation.

     

    Security has been tightened on the Onwe Road where the International Conference Centre is located and Abakaliki Township Stadium, venues of the festival.

    The city is wearing a new look with the renovation of roads by the Ebonyi State Road Maintenance Agency (EBROMA).

    The Ministry of Environment has been monitoring the contractors responsible for keeping the city clean and is ensuring that Abakaliki remains clean throughout the festival.

    Over 4,000 artistes and other participants from the 36 states are expected in the Ebonyi State capital for the 28th edition of NAFEST.

    The event started yesterday.

     

  • Jonathan to open NAFEST Oct 21

    Jonathan to open NAFEST Oct 21

    President Goodluck Jonathan will open the 28th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) on October 21 at the Township Stadium in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, at noon.

    The festival will hold from October 19 to 26.

    This year’s festival, with the theme: Celebrating Nigeria @100: The Role of Culture as a Vehicle for National Unity, is the first time Ebonyi State would host the national festival since its inception.

    The week-long fiesta has participants from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Participants also include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), schools and international agencies.

    A statement by the organisers, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), said Ebonyi State had made arrangements to feature cultural events, such as traditional dance drama, arts and crafts competition, children’s essay writing competition, children’s painting competition, traditional children’s storytelling competition, traditional wrestling, traditional cuisine competition, traditional furnished apartment, among others.

    NCAC said the festival, which will close on October 26, would promote cultural interaction, peace and national integration.

  • ‘Tears of 2006 have been washed away’

    ‘Tears of 2006 have been washed away’

    The 2006 edition of NAFEST was special in the sense that for the first time when NAFEST was ending, the next host was known. And this was because I had strategised, made budget provision which had been approved by the House of Assembly for our hosting in 2006. NCAC at that time had no stress, they didn’t need to woo any state government to host the festival.

    The budget was there and the Glory Land Cultural Centre was there too. No art council can boast of the facilities we have at Glory Land Cultural Centre. The only challenge we had then which we don’t have is the Artistes’Camp, which was over crowded because people were really enthusiastic about visiting Bayelsa. So, it was quite an awesome moment for us as we had prepared a float, which was an attraction we had also prepared to do a host component regatta with every local council in the state.

    Bringing three regatta boats, we had 24 boats and the arts council had two, totalling 26 boats regatta. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled few minutes after it was opened. As at the opening, about 24 states had arrived with about four states on their way. Ogun state contingent was inWarri during the opening ceremony. So, it was quite painful because it was an exercise in futility, all efforts and preparation coming to nothing. The hosting of NAFEST 2013 by Bayelsa is a fall-out from the aborted 2006 edition.

    Members of the Culture Executive Council were concerned that they didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy Bayelsa, because that time the news of kidnapping, hostage taking common place. But they were shocked to find the opposite when they got to Bayelsa.

    So, people felt they needed to go back to Bayelsa to enjoy it. I am a fulfilled man because the tears of 2006 have been washed away. It was painful, a sad moment. I remember the debate we had in the Government House when the news of the plane crash reached us. Governor Goodluck Jonathan called Abuja, discussed with the authorities. And the compromise was that the festival should be opened so that people would not go back like that. It was done to honor the dead. It was quite understandable because the country had lost a crop of top military officers. But it was painful and since there was nothing we could do about it, we just have to live with it.

    You know money has been spent before the crash and for us to start to think of hosting the festival following year would be stressful in term of funding. It would not be fair on the state to go through all that. So it was good to allow time to heal the wounded of 2006. For us in the council, wiping away the tears of 2006 came in the sponsorship of the state troupe to Paris, France where we have performed at United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in September 2006, the same.

    The Gloryland Cultural Centre is wearing a new look and its artistes and government that will enjoy it. I am happy that a proposal I made for the centre though didn’t concentrate at that time is seen causing to past. It has made the centre more than enough for the hosting of events like this. It will be an impetus for the government to host bigger events at the centre.

    With the disposition of the governor to culture, I believe the initial plan for the state to host Bayelsa Festival will now materialise.

    People can see how cultural events can stimulate great economic activities. For example, NAFEST cultural markets keep expanding by the day, from the centre’s premises to the judiciary complex. In fact, people are leaving the main markets to sell at the cultural centre.

    At the end of the day, the local economy will be better for it. With adequate planning and publicity future festivals will attract tremendous reception. I thank Governor Seriake Dickson for hosting the festival and we need a Bayelsa Festival and more of it in future.”

    Hosting NAFEST this year, Executive Director, Bayelsa Arts Council, Mr Ineye Johnny Dudafa, said it was a fulfillment.

    “From the day the idea was brought before the Governor, he bought the idea of hosting this year’s festival. And that simplified everything. I have attended several NAFEST since 1989, which gave me rich knowledge of experience this year given the reception and attendance. Everything I believe happens according to the will of God. My predecessor, Barclays Ayakoroma did all he could to ensure the state hosted NAFEST in 2006. But for the plane crash, it was put off. Since then we have always looked for opportunity to host the festival. It has always been my dream because the climax of council programme is NAFEST. The turn-out is okay, and I will now describe such attendance as low, it is successful. So far, we had 21 out of 36 states. I am sure every state would have loved to be here but there could be peculiar problem of release of funds. If the roll call of states had been 30, then it would have been better. However, we still worked with what we had.

    “The content of the festivals wide, we have competitive and non-competitive events, because of the number of states showing interest in competitive that has events affected the competitiveness of the events. And by extension, it affected the contents of the festival. However, there are rooms for improvement; adopt female wrestling to create room for gender equality. I am happy that the state is hosting NAFEST during my time in the council. Grateful to God and government because this has made another statement as far as Bayelsa’s image is concerned. Efforts should be made to encourage Governors to allow their states to participate in future editions. There is much to gain,” he said.

     

  • NAFEST heralds the path of peace

    NAFEST heralds the path of peace

    A clarion call for peace was made through music, dance, cultural displays, food fair, indigenous circus, choral music and more at this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST). It was a carnival of the nation’s artistic, cultural and tourism wealth, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

    • Olusola honoured posthumously

    This year’s edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) was a celebration of cultural, artistic and tourism treasures and the richness of their diversity.

    It witnessed a lavish display of culture, tradition, arts and colours with a creative mix of various performances. The events were to promote community understanding and tolerance through various competitive and non-competitive events.

    With the theme Culture, Peace and Economic Empowerment, cultural ambassadors, art enthusiasts and tourists sought points of convergence of the various cultures, arts and traditional practices that typify Nigeria’s collective essence.

    Hence, it was no coincidence that the organisers of the festival chose The State of Harmony – Kwara State – for this year’s edition. Having a collage of various ethnic groups – Yoruba, Nupe, Baruba, Hausa and Fulani – enjoying peaceful coexistence, the state typifies what Nigeria should be, according culture enthusiasts.

    Declaring the festival open, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, said the proper harnessing of the economic potential in the culture and tourism sector would help arrest unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness and societal vices. He urged Nigerians to focus on harnessing cultural activities, such as NAFEST, for unity as the nation moves close to its 100th year anniversary. He also renewed his commitment and support to the arts and tourism sector and NAFEST, in particular.

    He said: “As Nigeria moves gradually towards the celebration of the Centenary of the union of our peoples, cultures and heritages into one nation, in 2014, we must look forward towards harnessing our cultural activities such as NAFEST to further project our national unity and integration. The economic opportunities that abound in the culture and tourism sector if properly harnessed will surely contribute towards arresting youth restiveness, rural urban drift, reducing poverty and unemployment and many other societal vices.”

    Kwara State Deputy Governor Elder Peter Kisira, who represented the governor, said his administration would put in place strategies to ensure that artistic and cultural activities are appropriately ultilised for sustainable revenue and employment.

    In spite of the security challenges and flood experienced in recent times, 25 states, including Bornu, Kano, Kaduna, Benue, Anambra, alongside Abuja, participated in the festival, which was the 26th edition.

    The states showcased their creativity in dance drama, traditionally furnished apartment, moonlight games, children’s essay competition and painting competition, arts and crafts exhibition and traditional wrestling. The festival also featured a colloquium. Each section was anchored on the festival’s theme.

    Participants went out of their way to impress. Guests and tourists caught a glimpse of a cultural market, colourful traditional attires, indigenous furnished apartments, games, and the foods from the participating states. Osun, Ogun, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Kebbi treated guests to creatively-crafted traditional furnished apartments.

    At the end, Rivers State emerged the overall winner while Nasarawa and Benue states came second and Niger State bagged the third position.

    The children were not left out in the fun. They thrilled guests with moonlight games and essay competitions. But their artistic interpretation of NAFEST theme on canvas was noteworthy.

    According to Alhaji Mohammad Maidugu, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the agency hopes to ignite the interest for arts in children and task them on the relationships between culture and peace and economic empowerment.

    In line with the theme, the major preoccupations were violence, insecurity, peace, unity, dialogue, and cultural empowerment.

    Through their works, the children called for cultural and religious tolerance.

    “The art pieces not only reflected their environment and burning national issues, they also highlighted the symbols of peace in Nigeria’s milieu such as dove, white pigeons and kolanut etc.

    Interestingly, the artworks of participants from Bornu State, a state that has witnessed waves of violence in recent times, stole the hearts of the judges. Bornu State won the drawing/painting competition.

     

    Scholars sue for peace

     

    Is Nigeria, after 52 years, at the threshold of sticky end as predicted by non-Nigerians and Nigerians alike? With the threat of violence and insecurity reaching levels unprecedented in our history, why is Nigeria, in spite of its ensemble of rich culture, human and material assets, tending towards the precipice through extremism of various kinds? How do its leaders recognise and appropriate the richly diverse cultural values and practices and use them for nation-building, peace, economic empowerment rather? These and more were some of the questions asked at a colloquium.

    Scholars called for a reexamination of culture, values and beliefs that will help unite the country. Dr Gbemisola Adeoti called for a friendly environment, suitable for strangers or visitors to enjoy, settle, invest and prosper as people do in other climes.

    The Director of Research and Policy Analysis, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr Oshita Osang Oshita, linked the rise in violence and insecurity to culturally-driven mental and material impoverishment. He listed music, arts and crafts, performing arts/film, dressing, language and sports, among others, as culturally-driven practices that can foster peace and economic empowerment across the country, adding that “badly managed culture can become an instrument of violence”.

    He said: “Cultural practices that enhance women’s and youths’ economic empowerment could ease corruption and violence, promote greater environmental sustainability, and through education help improve the general standard of living.”

     

    Celebrating a culture icon

     

    The late Ambassador Olusegun Olusola was honoured posthumously during the festival. NCAC dedicated the collage of NAFEST’s Colloquium 2010 and 2011 in his honour. Chief Olusola was the chairman of the Central Planning Committee of the first All Nigerian Festival of Arts, the precursor of today’s NAFEST; and his love for culture endeared him to all within the sector, especially, his active involvement in NAFEST every year, till he passed on last June, according to NCAC.

    Maidugu said Olusola was honoured “for the role he played in the culture sector and the legacy of humility, active response to national call, and exemplary life as a true nationalist”.

    The book was presented by the former Minister of Aviation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope. Babatope, a friend of the deceased, eulogised Olusola, describing him as a “detribalised Nigerian who, during his active years of service, treated every Nigerian equally and the nation as one entity.

    He said: “Ambassador Olusola, although from Ogun State, did not believe in tribalism but carried everybody along; and so, today, people do not know where he came from but saw him as a true Nigerian and a cultural icon.”

  • Festival harps on peace, empowerment

    Festival harps on peace, empowerment

    This year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) began yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital. Its focus is on peace and empowerment as panacea to the challenges facing the country, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

    Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister Chief Edem Duke has urged Nigerians to employ the virtues of the nation’s cultural heritage in promoting community understanding and peaceful co-existence. He said there was no alternative to peace if “we must achieve the strategic plan of transforming and developing the country in the light of the expectations of the founding fathers.”

    The minister described the 26th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), which opened yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as an auspicious outing, adding that the panacea for the various challenges of security, poverty, and youth restiveness could be found in culture. For the first time ever, the unity festival will run till October 20.

    Duke said in Abuja that this year’s edition would be a unique one aimed at harnessing cultural heritage for economic empowerment and job creation. He said the festival was targeted at raising raw talents, particularly, in the areas of indigenous sports and games, with the ultimate aim of exploring the fundamentals of peaceful existence among Nigerians.

    According to him, the unity festival, with theme Culture, Peace and Economic Empowerment, is being reorganised to drive the transformational agenda of the Federal Government. This, he said, will facilitate job creation, talent hunt as well as empowerment of women and youths across the federation.

    “NAFEST 2012 is coming at an auspicious time and, in the light of our present challenges, which cannot be separated from poverty and ignorance, the festival is dedicated to the promotion of peace and national unity in addition to growing the culture of economic empowerment. The platform provides us with the unique opportunity to explore the fundamentals of peaceful co-existence and deploy our large population and cultural diversity to advantage rather than allow them to become sources of problem,” he said.

    Duke said as a national event envisioned to raise entrepreneurs in diverse areas of creativity, NAFEST 2012 shall showcase Nigeria’s diverse culture and heritage in many colours, with all states, the FCT Abuja, individuals, corporate organisations and stakeholders assembling to celebrate the country’s endowments

    According to Duke, part of the dream of the festival is to reduce social vices among youths, aside using creativity to exchange ideas and celebrate African culture. “It also gives us the platform to inculcate in our citizenry a heightened consciousness of our country’s unique position within Africa and the black race, thereby imbuing them with a sense of pride as citizens of Nigeria, the country with the richest and most diverse culture in the world…I, therefore, urge all and sundry to reflect on and employ the virtues of our cultural heritage to promote community understanding and peaceful co-existence. There is no alternative to peace if we must achieve the strategic plan of transforming and developing the country in the light of the expectations of the founding fathers,” he added.

    The minister, who called on stakeholders to participate in the festival, allayed fears on security challenges, saying Kwara State was prepared to host a hitch-free festival. He said all participating states resolved to support the host to ensure safety of lives and property during the festival.

    Continuing, he said: “We need to focus our attention on traditional sports by throwing up competitions, such as traditional wrestling. We also need to embark on talent hunt early enough…all committed stakeholders are welcome to the festival. There is no plan or reason to shut out any organisation or stakeholder from NAFEST. We expect stakeholders to be more active and committed. They need to disclose their areas of interest to pave way for partnerships and collaboration with the ministry and its parastatals.”

    He hinted that, very soon, the ministry would inaugurate the board of tourism development fund which will provide opportunity of support from stakeholders.

    The Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), organisers of the festival, Mr Maigwei M Maidugu, said this year’s festival would offer the best opportunity for participants to market their creative works, particularly, in the craft industry. He said the events of the festival were carefully selected to showcase and celebrate what Nigerians are capable of producing in the arts and culture sector. Maidugu said the wrestling competition was strategically targeted at the intermediate category, with a mission to raising new and dedicated talents who would compete with their counterparts around the globe and win laurels for the country.

    On the children events, he said: “We are training the children to develop interest in these areas of art and perhaps become experts in drawing and painting. Again, we are trying to use the platform of the festival to develop children that will have a career in visual art and also make the children task their minds on what is culture, what is peace, and the relationship between culture and peace, and the relationship between culture and economic empowerment.”

    Events for this year’s NAFEST include dance drama, traditional furnished apartment, traditional moonlight games, children’s essay competition, children’s painting competition, arts and crafts exhibition and traditional wrestling. Others include book fair, cultural market and the colloquium. Nigeria will use the festival to celebrate its treasures, and the richness of its diversity. It shall also promote community understanding and tolerance through various competitive and non-competitive events.

  • Festival of empowerment

    Festival of empowerment

    As the 26th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) kicks off in Ilorin, Kwara State, the need to use it to cement love and unity among Nigerians becomes pivotal. Edozie Udeze reports

    Perhaps not many Nigerians are aware that the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) organiaed yearly by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) predates Nigerian independence in 1960. Before Nigeria got her freedom from Britain, this festival had already been instituted, to harness, celebrate and promote arts in Nigeria.

    According to M. M. Maidugu, the Executive Director of NCAC, the idea was essentially to incorporate all aspects of the Arts into one to be able to give the nation a defined focus. When it began in the late 1950s, the total concept was to have a national unity forum to harness and update creativity in all fields of the arts, science, and technology.

    In an interview, Maidugu who has consistently held the festival in the past seven years explained that when the civil war ended in 1970, the federal government mandated NCAC to organise the celebration to reintegrate parts of the country involved in the war. In his words, “although there was the festival of unity to mark the reintegration of the Eastern states after the Nigerian civil war in 1970, what would be regarded as the first Nigerian Festival of Arts and Culture actually took place in Lagos in 1970.”

    Every year since then, each state of the federation opts to host the festival. This is to show that it is a celebration meant to cement love and unity in the country. This year’s celebration which began in Ilorin, Kwara State yesterday, has as its theme: Culture, Peace and Economic Empowerment. The Kwara State government is not only hosting it for the first time, but the governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, said it is for the state to contribute its quota to the unity of the nation. In an earlier statement, he told culture eggheads who converged in Ilorin that Kwara State was poised to prove to the world that it can be a rallying point for the progress of the nation.

    Addressing arts reporters in Abuja, the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke, reiterated the need for artistes and culture technocrats to use the opportunity of the festival to further advance the transformation programme of the federal government. He said: “NAFEST is being reorganised to serve as the preferred sector for the nation’s transformation goals. It will further help in the area of job creation, especially for our rural dwellers. We need to empower our youths economically and this is why we have chosen to harness all the creative arts in the rural areas to showcase them at the event.”

    He went on: “If the rural dwellers who form the bulk of the population of the nation are given the required attention to perfect their skills and creativity and then bring them to national lime light, we would have succeeded in keeping them busy. It is our primary focus to ensure that culture and tourism are properly used to create huge entrepreneurial spirit among our teeming youths.”.

    “Beyond this,” Duke said, “our heritage is a gift from age to age. These heritage abound in all crannies of the nation and therefore it is our responsibility to ensure that we empower ourselves with what we have. So, this is time for us to talk about peace, rediscover our love for one another and then use that to give ourselves economic power and reduce social vices.”

    Maidugu equally restated that this year’s festival is estimated to attract over 6,000 participants who would be involved in one programme or the other. “Our concern this year,” he said, “is to rediscover new talents in the intermediate category of traditional wrestling. After that, we will continue to promote and expose them to more competitions nationally and globally. This will also help to galvanise our wrestlers into action in future outings.”

    In the painting and drawing category, Maidugu, drew attention to secondary school students whom he said are the focus of this year’s edition. “We have told them to work on the theme of the festival. The idea is that once that is done, the kid artist would appreciate why unity and love are essential for the nation and the people. We will take the winners up and expose them the more,” he said.

    The event which began on the 13th of this month will end on 20th. Some of the events in the festival are visual art, dance, food fair, music, crafts, literary arts, children’s essay and so on. In the end, all the participating states are expected to use the opportunity of the event to fish out local talents in their areas. This is why too, the role of the local governments was emphasised by Duke who advised them to be more proactive in this wise. “The local people look up to them and they need to sit up,” he said.