When culture chiefs met in Abuja

Top of the agenda at the 42nd meeting of chief executives of culture in Nigeria were the proposed National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), 2015, a special edition of the African arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo 2015, NCAC at 40 anniversary celebration, review of UNDP/INEC/NCAC partnership on National Voters’ Enlightenment, Reports and Memos from […]

Top of the agenda at the 42nd meeting of chief executives of culture in Nigeria were the proposed National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), 2015, a special edition of the African arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo 2015, NCAC at 40 anniversary celebration, review of UNDP/INEC/NCAC partnership on National Voters’ Enlightenment, Reports and Memos from the Federal Cultural parastatals and reports and memos from the 36 states and the FCT.
Mrs Nkechi Ejele who welcomed guests to the event said: “the purpose of the meeting was among others to consider issues of national interest to the development of arts and culture in Nigeria and the need to prepare grounds towards a successful hosting of NAFEST, AFAC and the 40th anniversary of the National Council for arts and Culture (NCAC).
Noting that the nation is experiencing socio-economic challenges, she said: “There is need to focus our attention on how we can dovetail our programmes and activities towards addressing these challenges. Our primary concern at this time therefore should be on how to use our culture for the promotion of peace and national unity while tapping into the economic potentials of our rich cultural heritage.”
Mrs. Dayo Keshi, NCAC boss, said the forum has consistently provided a broad base for the sharing of ideas leading to improved programmes and projects in the various states.
According to Keshi: “The forum would further drive our collective resolve towards making Nigeria a prime culture and tourism destination in Africa.”
She called on the delegates to leverage on the comparative advantage of cultural products towards the diversification of the economy.
As part of resolutions reached at the meeting contained in a communiqué, it was agreed that the Director-General,  NCAC, should as a matter of urgency pay Advocacy visits to all the 36 states’ government and the FCT as a way to further sensitize them about the need to support cultural  activities both in their states and at the Federal level.
Delegates also resolved that the focus of the NCAC 40th anniversary celebrations should shift from entertainment to commercial while focusing on promoting cultural industries.
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) was commended for its expansion with the creation of an FCT Campus in addition to that of Lagos and urged to work for the recognition of its Certificates by States and the Federal Government.
Although no state has been identified as host for NAFEST 2015, consideration for the hosting rights was in favour of states that had never enjoyed the privilege since the inception of the festival and who also have the requisite facilities.  The meeting unanimously endorsed Edo State with the added value advantage of her status as the Heartbeat of Cultural Grandeur and royalty in Nigeria.
The meeting also adopted the theme, ‘Our Culture, Our Art, Our Wealth’ for this year’s NAFEST, which will tentatively hold from 24th October to 1st November, with seven competitive events approved.