Obaseki throws weight behind NAFEST 2019

Stories by Wale Olapade

IN preparation to this year’s edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2019) slated for Benin, Edo State , Governor Godwin Obaseki has assured all and sundry of his full commitment and support towards a successful hosting.

Obaseki gave the assurance during a world press conference organised by the NCAC to flag off campaign for the 2019 edition of NAFEST billed to hold in Edo State.

Speaking at the event, the governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Edo State, Hon. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, noted that the state is prepared to host one of the best ever art and culture festival in the world.

He stated also that culture brings unity irrespective of cultural affiliations, adding that Edo State has what it takes to make NAFEST truly remarkable.

In terms of providing adequate security for NAFEST 2019, he revealed that the state governor is putting a lot of security measures in place.

“We cannot talk about promoting tourism without looking at security. 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,” he said.

In his Address, the Director-General of NCAC, Chief Segun Runsewe said that Nigeria needs cultural diplomacy to curb persistent ethnic clashes in the country.

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He noted that NCAC plan is to use Edo State to communicate to the world that Nigeria is indeed beautiful.

According to him, “There 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, noting that culture is the secret to making a new beginning for our great country.”

The DG emphasised that NAFEST is a demonstration of the critical relevance of culture in forging national unity, peace, mutual understanding and for building bridges of love and friendship across the different ethno-religious divides in Nigeria.

“Indeed, Edo 2019 promises to be unique in all respect. Edo state has a very rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back to several centuries”, he remarked.

Speaking further, he also revealed 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.

He called on traditional rulers in Nigeria to collaborate with the NCAC in the task of reviving Nigeria’s cherished cultural heritage and using culture as a springboard for driving the process of national development.

The 2019 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), is scheduled to hold in Benin City, Edo State from 19th to 26th October, 2019 with the theme; Our Royalty, Our Pride.”