NAFEST 2019: Culture Will Create A New Beginning For Nigeria – NCAC DG

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – As part of efforts aimed at promoting peace and unity in the country, the Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe has said that culture remains the secret that will create a new beginning for the country.

Runsewe therefore called on Nigerians, particularly traditional rulers to collaborate with the Council in the task of reviving Nigeria’s cherished cultural heritage and using culture as a springboard for driving the process of national development.

The NCAC Director General, who stated these at a press conference to flag off the 2019 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), scheduled to hold in Edo state from 19 to 26 October, 2019 with the theme “Our Royalty, Our Pride,” said it promises to be unique in all respect. 

According to him; “Edo Sate has a very rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back to several centuries. It is in that context that NCAC plans to use Edo State to communicate to the whole world that Nigeria is indeed beautiful.

“This is a new beginning for us to speak for ourselves. Enough of the negativity, enough of hearing bad things about us. We must celebrate ourselves and showcase what we have to the world.

“We are going to have a new beginning in Edo State come October 19-26. If we move from one state to the other, there will be less hate speeches, disagreement and more love.”

Runsewe noted that NAFEST is a demonstration of the critical relevance of Nigeria’s culture in promoting national unity, peace, mutual understanding as well as building bridges of love and friendship across the different ethno-religious divide in Nigeria.

The NCAC Boss also said that one of the distinctive features of NAFEST 2019 would be a day of Royal Splendour, adding that the event will be in collaboration with the revered Oba’s Palace in furtherance of the centrality of Benin Monarchy to the socio-cultural activities of the state.

Also speaking at the briefing, the Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, who represented the governor, assured of his full commitment and support of the state towards a successful NAFEST.

He said that Edo State is fully prepared to take on the responsibility of hosting one of the best ever art and culture festival in the world, adding that; “Culture brings about unity irrespective of cultural affiliations. Edo State has what it takes to make NAFEST truly remarkable”.

He said that the state government is putting everything in place towards providing adequate security for NAFEST 2019, saying that we cannot talk about promoting Tourism without concern for security.

He further said; “Edo is very safe, we are ready to put in a lot of security measures in place before October. Edo is safe and we take security issues very seriously.”