Akwa Ibom Recommits To Glamorous NAFEST 2016, In October

As preparations for a better and successful hosting of NAFEST 2016 slated for Akwa Ibom State gathers momentum, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, and Chairperson, Chie Executives of Cultra of the Federation (CEC), Mrs. Dayo Keshi, has charged all the stakeholders in the culture sector to find ways of improving on the presentation and marketing of existing cultural festivals while inventing new ones.
Keshi said this just as the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok, charged stakeholders in the culture industry to explore the option of partnering with corporate and private investors to organize a successful, economically viable and glamorous NAFEST 2016.
 The 2016 NAFEST, with the theme: “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigeria’s Creative Industries”, and scheduled for 2nd–9th October, 2016, will be hosted by the Akwa Ibom State Government in Uyo, the state capital.
The duo made the appeal during the 45th Meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation (CEC) held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State to deliberate on the final adoption of the NAFEST Syllabus; assess the hosting state’s preparedness; and to elicit the necessary input towards achieving collective desires for a better and successful NAFEST.
Speaking on the festival, Keshi disclosed that the festival is the oldest national festival with representatives of the 36 states of the Federation,  and The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
 “It provides a formidable platform in the bottom up approach to wealth creation as most of the participants are drawn from the grassroots of each local governments in the states. It is key in showcasing the economic strength of festivals as it provides a large inflow of participants and tourists filling up hotels, and increasing transport and logistical needs, thereby making it a veritable tool in the diversification of our economy.”
She pointed out that children are a key component of NAFEST because it gives them a keen sense of creativity as they participate in the competitive presentation of their paintings and dances.
According to her, NAFEST 2016 shall feature Arts and Crafts Competition, Indigenous Poetry Performance, Drama, Traditional Wrestling and Indigenous Cuisines, adding that participating children are to interpret NAFEST 2016 theme through Essay Writing, Painting and Drawing Competition.
The meeting, which was declared open  by the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, was  attended by the representatives of chief executives of two Federal  Parastatals of Culture: National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO),  and National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM) ans well as 13 directors of state Council for Arts and Culture/History and Culture Bureaux, from Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun, Rivers, Plateau states.
On how to move the festival forward, they noted that it is needful to introduce innovations and creativity in designing, packaging and interpretation of the Syllabus contents and that Nigeria has a comparative advantage in the global culture market, insisting that the country must take advantage of the situation, and explore.
They also adopted to do the Arts & Craft as a competitive event while Traditional Apartment was agreed to be skipped till next time due to its high cost implications.
Also, in its commitment to ensure early preparation and successful implementation of the National Festival of Arts and Culture policy framework, the meeting unanimously offered the hosting rights for the 30th edition (NAFEST 2017) to Kaduna State.
 Earlier in his opening address, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, called for a massive cultural revival through strategic acculturation, and tasked them on the need to brainstorm and strategize on how to re-position Nigeria’s culture to attract global patronage as a major foreign exchange earner for the country, given the Federal Government’s re-investment drive in Culture and Tourism sub-sector.
He further noted that Nigeria can become a global power in culture as well as a major exporter of culture with the right mix of resources and tourism integration.
The body  commended the culture-friendly administration of the state Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, for his support to the state’s culture sector and the hospitality extended to delegates to the meeting, as well as for hosting the 45th edition of Chief Executives of Culture Meeting in the state in spite of the current economic challenges.
He also lauded the delegates for their tireless efforts to make the sector a major source of revenue for government, and for their enduring commitment to the development and growth of Culture and Tourism in the country.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria.