NAFEST ‘09: All eyes on Minna
All arrangements, according the organisers, have been concluded to make the festival an eventful one. The week-long event, slated to take place between October 3rd and 11th is expected to attract over 10,000 artistes from the 36 states of federation plus the Federal Capital Territory. The assurance of an eventful festival was made known by […]
All arrangements, according the organisers, have been concluded to make the festival an eventful one.
The week-long event, slated to take place between October 3rd and 11th is expected to attract over 10,000 artistes from the 36 states of federation plus the Federal Capital Territory.
The assurance of an eventful festival was made known by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Senator Bello Jibrin Gada while addressing newsmen in Abuja.
He said, “Immediately after the unveiling ceremony of the festival logo in Abuja, the organising committee launched a comprehensive campaign to enlighten Nigerians and the international community on the importance of the event.
On its part, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is also optimistic and has assured the public that the Minna fiesta would be the first of its kind.
The Executive Director of the NCAC, Mr Malgwi M. Maidugu told Travel and Leisure that arrangements have been concluded to ensure a hitch free NAFEST.
He said the theme of festival would be on Culture and the Challenges of Our Time: Cultural Industries and Wealth Creation adding that the event has been streamlined to make sure the festival achieve the dreams of the founding fathers.
“From the preparations put in place so far, we can say without fear of contradiction that the Federal Government and the Niger State government are set to host the most celebrated NAFEST since its inception, as well as set a benchmark for which we will all be proud of.
“The state government through the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Umar Nasko, has confirmed to us that the state has upgraded most of the facilities and the venues,” Maidugu said.
On accommodation for the artistes, which has been a perennial hiccup, Maidugu assured the artistes that an elaborated arrangement has been put in place to both provide adequate accommodation facility to artistes and their instructors.
“A pavilion to reflect the unique history and culture of all the 36 states and Abuja will be displayed at the UK Bello Arts Theatre in addition to that, the state has assured us that they have procured 20 luxurious buses, over 20 shuttle buses and have also earmarked specific routes for participants during the event.
Maidugu said the feast is expected to attract over 9,000 participants cutting across the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that the occasion would not only showcase rich varieties of cultures in Nigeria but harness economic gains for the country especially with the economic meltdown.
“The idea is to mobilize Nigerians particularly the youths, to appreciate and promote our cultural products and services better in the face of western domination,” he said.
Already, the Niger State government has disclosed a budget of N200 million for the show. The new Commissioner for Tourism and Industry, Alhaji Abdullahi Sani Bello disclosed this to newsmen within the week in Minna.
How it all started
NAFEST is Nigeria’s biggest and most popular cultural event that parades all the 36 states in Nigeria including Abuja in one place for a week.
It has its origin in the various arts festivals celebrated locally at different parts of the country. It later metamorphosed into the All Nigeria Festivals of Arts. In its early stage, it was limited to the visual arts and participation was also limited to a few primary and post primary government schools and colleges where arts were taught.
Although there was the Festival of Unity to mark the reintegration of the then Eastern State after the Nigeria Civil War in 1969, what would be regarded as the first Nigerian Festival of Arts and Culture actually took place in Lagos in 1970
The success of the 1970 attempt, led to the subsequent celebration of various National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
Since then, the event, under the supervision of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has been an annual ritual showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and exposing the various ethnic groups to one another.
The objectives of the feast include: providing avenue for talent hunt, display creativity, exchange ideas and technique acquisition.
Highlights of the major events inclue: Exhibition on Nigerian dress culture, Indigenous music and dance, traditional moonlight games, traditional wrestling
Other are: NAFEST Colloquium/boo fair, command performance, culture market/food fair, film show, Ayo game etc
Niger at a glance
Niger State was formed out of the defunct North Western State in February 1976 and consists of 25 Local Government Areas. It is made up of the old Nupe and Kontagora Kingdoms, Abuja (now Suleja), Zauzau kingdom and other political entities. The major cities are Minna, Bida, Kontagora and Suleja. The state share boundaries Kaduna State in the North East, Kebbi State in the North West, Kwara State in the South West, Kogi in the South, Zamfara in the North and the Republic of Benin in the West. The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, is on the state’s Southeastern border.
Its attractions
Some of the tourist attractions of the state are Bida brass and glass works, the famous Gurara Falls, Kainji Lake National Park, Zuma Rock, Shiroro Dam, Mayanka Water Falls, Lugard Amalgamation Park, Mungo Park Cenotaph, Baro Emhire Hills and Port.