NAFEST’09 beckons

While the elders were elated with the commitment of the state government, the chief host and Chief Servant of Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu couldn’t hide his resolve to make the event a most eventful one. Speaking to newsmen in Minna, Aliyu assured the elders of his maximum support.  “We are prepared to put everything […]

While the elders were elated with the commitment of the state government, the chief host and Chief Servant of Niger State, Governor Babangida Aliyu couldn’t hide his resolve to make the event a most eventful one. Speaking to newsmen in Minna, Aliyu assured the elders of his maximum support.

 “We are prepared to put everything in place to ensure a successful event. We want to use this opportunity to showcase the fact that Niger State is a great state, made up of good people, who are determined to take their rightful place in the league of the three top most developed states in Nigeria by the year 2020,” he said.   

Aliyu directed the state ministry of tourism and culture to create a platform to properly market the tourism potentials of the state.

Also in his submission, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr Malgwi M. Maidugu said the October feast would play host to about 9000 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.

He said the fair will also provide a platform where youths would be allowed to bring out the best in them in terms of cultural heritage as a way to check the infiltration of western values which he said has permeated the psyche of Nigerians in recent times.

“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.

Apart from colourful cultural display, the event is expected to give fillip to local textile and fashion industries as well as stimulating research and study of indigenous cultures

Highlight of the events include moonlight games, exhibition on Nigerian cultural dresses, indigenous music and dance, indigenous circus, traditional wrestling, colloquium, book fair, crafts market, food fair, Ayo games, film show etc.