NAFEST 2018: Every state a winner, INAC holds in Abuja Nov 18

The 31st edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture has come and gone but the landmark signal it generated in terms of the cultural uniqueness in nation building still lingers.

Though four states, Rivers, Ondo, Bayelsa and Delta emerged top overall winners of this year’s edition, but almost all the participating states had one award or another listed for them.

It is strategic the NCAC idea is to foster a sense of belonging, acceptability and encouragement to be the best in developing and sustaining the huge Nigerian cultural value chain.

Taken into consideration, previous year’s events has given more prominence to the first overall winners, but in the richness of the Nigeria diverse cultural potentialities which made every state unique, the Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, introduced an innovation, enacting that other winning states in certain significant areas would also feature not just for fancy but as springboard to help highlight support for each state government, particularly the governors who are expected to now mainstream culture and arts as vehicles of development.

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Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike practically invested heavily in culture and arts in the state. With the 23 local governments showing massive and colourful strength, each LGA led by the chairman of local councils, Rivers being the overall winner of the festival was not in doubt.

Unknown to many people, Rivers state is a mini Nigeria harbouring ethnic nationalities across board, no doubt it come first in the traditional cuisine competition, second in children essay competition on Contemporary Arts, third in dance drama, third again in indigenous fabrics in contemporary arts, and again third in Tales by Moonlight. Rivers hosting of the festival was adjudged the best since the festival gained ground as unity festival about 31 years ago.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State must be proud of investing in cultural human capacity building as his state come first in children essay competition, Dance drama, third in Ayo games, first on Tales by Moonlight and the third overall best state participant.

This state of aquatic splendour and home of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, Bayelsa State came second on this overall winner’s platform. Governor Dickson will surely be happy with state winning the indigenous Fabrics in contemporary Arts. The governor has never failed to show the power of ijaw fashion since he came to office, a kind of edification and religion which promotes the culture of the people of the state. Bayelsa also has it in local cuisine where it came third; children essay (3rd) Ayo games (2nd), Tales by Moonlight (4th) and third in traditional wrestling.

Another oil rich and multi ethnic nationalities frontier in the South-South region of Nigeria, came first in traditional wrestling. Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state must be happy with participants winning second best on local cuisine category, came fourth in Ayo games and emerged the fourth overall best winner category at NAFEST 2018.

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the north central Nigeria, came fourth in traditional food cuisine, fourth on children essay writing competition, second in indigenous fabrics in Contemporary Arts and fourth again in traditional wrestling competition. Indeed, a FCT administration did show a robust presence at NAFEST, an indication that the FCT administration understands the value of culture and arts economy.

Governor Ganduje administration of Kano State saw its investment in children cultural education paying off as state came first in children’s crafts competition. It is a future investment that may lead to the revival of crafts economy in the state.

Governor Bello Masari of Kastina State took to culture and Arts as peoples economy with the state coming second in the children craft competition category.

Governor Dave Umahi of rice producing state of Nigeria Ebonyi State, was at hand in Rivers State to encourage the state which came second in Tales by Moonlight category, fourth in children’s craft and second in dance drama category.

Governor Sani Bello of Niger State came fourth in indigenous Fabrics in Contemporary Arts and an award for consistent showing and participation at NAFEST.

Governor Ikeapzu of Abia State was also at the festival with the state as fourth best outing in traditional dance drama. Abia showcased a strong presence that will take a long to forget.

Edo State of Governor Obaseki won the golden gong award, and the host state for 2019 edition of NAFEST, with a promise to give Rivers state a run for its money.

However, the International Arts  and Crafts expo (INAC) has finalised arrangement to host the world in Abuja from November 18 to 24, 2018.