By; Joy Odor/Kaduna
The National Council for Arts and Culture it to showcase the cultural inheritance of the Nigeria people, as a measure to bring the people together to entrench socio-economic development of Nigeria.
Briefing journalists during a news conference at the Kaduna International Trade Fair Complex during the weekend, the Director General, Olusengun Runsewe disclosed that it will hold the 30th Edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture in Kaduna State for the fifth time aimed at driving into celebrating life, love, peace and unity among-st the diverse.
The Director General informed that for over thirty five to fifty years, Nigeria as a country has continued to depend oil as the major source of revenue, hence the need to reawakening the consciousness of the Nigerians towards revamping the cultural sector and making it a major source of revenue for the country.
“17 countries in Africa, their GDP is 6-8% constant for the last 8 years in Culture, Arts and Tourism and we cannot continue to wait still our oil dries up or finishes. The time has come and my new message is “Culture is to replace oil”.
“The event we are doing is to re-awaken the culturists of Nigerians that the time has come to key into our culture and make the best out of it, so the NCNC slogan is “Our Culture-Our Pride” as we are taking NAFEST to the next level” he said.
According to him, “the festival will kick start October 13th and will showcase the following: children’s stage performance, traditional wrestling, traditional cuisine competition and cultural children essay writing.
Others include cultural market, free medical screening, free skill acquisition training, workshop, golf tournament and group instrument.
Mr. Runsewe said this is the fifth time that Kaduna State will be hosting the NAFEST and this time around we are introducing entrepreneurship, skill acquisition such as shoe making, perfumes of different types, native clothes among others.
In his remarks, Commissioner of Youth Sports and Culture, Mr. Daniel Danauta, welcomed Mr. Runsewe to Kaduna, saying Kaduna State is not just a centre, but the only state that other states have come to meet.
“We have another opportunity again to show the world what Kaduna can offer. We welcome our brothers and sisters from other states. As a centre of learning, we assure you that there is enough to learn in the centre of learning,” he said.
contributing, the Special Assistant to Governor Mallam El-Rufai on Creative Arts, Hajiya Halima Idris said it is a privilege to be part of history to making not just Kaduna, but Nigeria great again, saying it is also a unique opportunity to host NAFEST at the time when Kaduna State is celebrating its centenary anniversary.
