Glitzy night as ‘Oga Bello’, Igbinedion, others get award

The event, which was the 11th NCAC Honours Lecture/Awards held last week at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja and recognised other Nigerians as Niger State Governor, Dr. Ma’azu Babangida Aliyu, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion as well as the former Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode who were bestowed with the […]

The event, which was the 11th NCAC Honours Lecture/Awards held last week at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja and recognised other Nigerians as Niger State Governor, Dr. Ma’azu Babangida Aliyu, Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion as well as the former Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode who were bestowed with the Grand Award for Outstanding Patron of the Culture Sector award,  Grand Icon of Nigerian Culture award and the award for an outstanding promotion of the culture sector, respectively.
The event, which could be described as a mini-carnival, following the entry of Sir Igbinedion in full clad traditional attire as did praise singers, dancers and drummers who ushered him providing musical interlude, stood out as one of the biggest of such outings in recent times.
Not only was the organization enhanced, the number of awardees also increased tremendously to the admiration of all.  
Others were the Emir of Borgu, Dr. (Senator) Haliru Dantoro III for promoting culture through festivals, and Mr. Dayo Adedayo, for promoting Nigerian culture through photography. Channels Television and Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) received awards for serving as a media partner  in cultural  promotion and for the promotion of literature and book culture in the country, respectively.
Awardees also included NCAC’s past chief executives including its immediate past, Mr. M.M. Maidugu, Prof. Sule Bello and the Late Emma Nnakaenyi Arinze, who was honoured posthumously.
As the Council turns 40 years next year, Keshi informed that there is a plan to build bridges of understanding and networking with all stakeholders whose contributions are vital in the growth of the sector with priority to strengthen and equip the NCAC’s arts and crafts skill acquisition centres to serve as vocational training centres for youths and women at the grassroots level in the various aspects of arts and crafts production, finishing, packaging and marketing.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, who was pleased that the platform has continued to promote the culture of appreciation and reward for hard work, said: “This motivation mechanism can only result in improved staff productivity and work place integrity.”
The Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Igbinedion, who said he personally agreed to grace the occasion personally in spite of his tight schedule reiterated that he has been an avid culture enthusiast, not only in his immediate Benin environment but in the whole of Nigeria, without realising that his efforts were noted and would someday be recognized.
Born into a robust Benin culture, he encouraged Nigerians to promote their unique cultures and also cherish those of others, while urging organizers and recipients alike to keep an eye on the future with a view to finding how to develop a culture of excellence as well as groom the coming generations of Nigerians to be formidable apostles of culture.
With the portrayal of Nigerian cultures through Nollywood films, he charged practitioners to be more positive and shun themes that project the society as ritualistic and diabolical. According to him, Nigeria has a lot to offer to the world in terms of its arts and culture without being fetish.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, said: “the outcome of any award is more work. By the award, recipients are called to greater services.”
As governor, Aliyu has promoted different traditional and cultural activities in the state and has supported the various indigenous festivals in the State such as Nupe Day and Durba during Salah celebrations as well as hosting NAFEST 2009.
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