Calabar gets thumbs up for NAFEST 2011

Calabar  also known as the peoples paradise because of its rich  tourist  attractions was selected   after  executive  directors  of  culture all over the federation had thorough deliberations  and inspected  the facilities  on  ground and were convinced will produce a high class cultural festival to the delight of both local and foreign  visitors. In  a communiqué  […]

Calabar  also known as the peoples paradise because of its rich  tourist  attractions was selected   after  executive  directors  of  culture all over the federation had thorough deliberations  and inspected  the facilities  on  ground and were convinced will produce a high class cultural festival to the delight of both local and foreign  visitors.

In  a communiqué  issued  at the end of the  36th  meeting  of the chief  executives of culture of the  federation  held  in  Calabar  attended  by officials of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation  and  cultural   parastatals  like  National Institute  for Cultural Orientation  (NICO), National  Theatre, National Troupe of Nigeria and the host,  National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC),  endorsed  the city  as the venue for this  year`s  NAFEST event.

Also present at the meeting held in Calabar to finally endorse   Calabar as the host of the 25th edition of NAFEST were directors of culture of 24 states of the federation namely: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe. Others are Imo, Kaduna, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ondo, Osun and Oyo.

This year’s edition with the theme “Nigeria Traditional Music: A vehicle for Economic Transformation and unity” will feature events like: food fair, wrestling, traditional furnished apartments, drama, cultural market, the festival colloquium and the children’s components which shall include essay writing competition.

The wrestling competition will feature a junior category (35-44kg) and intermediate category (45-55kg) and the essay writing competition is meant for students of senior secondary school.

Speaking at the event, Mr. M. M Maidugu, the executive director of   National Council for Arts and Culture urged all stakeholders in the culture sector to come up with innovative cultural programmes and projects that would contribute meaningfully towards tackling the problems of unemployment, youth restiveness, societal indiscipline, corruption and other vices.

He commended the state governor and the people of the state for accepting to host the festival and the wonderful reception accorded them at the 36th Executive of Culture meeting held in Calabar.

While declaring the meeting open, governor of Cross Rivers State, Senator Liyel Imoke represented   by the state special adviser on tourism development, Mr. Gab Onah stressed   the need to sustain tradition as the best vehicle for societal advancement and wealth creation.

He further enjoined the chief executives of culture to continue their various drives for the nation’s economic development through culture, adding that it could only be achieved through quality delivery.

The   festival is slated for 22nd – 29th October 2011.