The event which was hosted by the Kaduna State government from the October 28 to November 4, at the Trade fair complex, Kaduna, rallied contingent from 21 states including the FCT, to the celebration of the unique heritage tied around the theme Nigeria Peace…Our Pride.
The NAFEST is not only a cultural ensemble of the pride of Nigeria, but also a master piece event that activate and stimulate the socio-economic and cultural consciousness of the people toward the relevance of togetherness.
It also create a platform for entrepreneurial skills and creativity for small and medium scale businesses and startups, thereby showcasing cultural low hanging fruits to systemically out stage joblessness through the introduction of skill acquisition.
There year’s NAFEST was able to train over 300 people cut across different level of social status to become self reliant and also employers of labour.
The skill acquisition programme which first debut at the AFAC organised by NCAC DG, Otunba Segun Runsewe, was a big statement at the 2017 NAFEST as it will go a long way to drastically reduce unemployment in Nigeria.
This model is the NCAC boss optimistic statement on turning culture to wealth, encouraging and involving youth in different economic activities in the cultural sphere to key into the Federal Government diversification programme.
According to Runsewe, “NAFEST’s foundational objective remains the promotion of national peace and unity using culture. Consequently, the traditional platform for talent hunt, skills development and marketing the best of Nigeria’s cultural heritage is the festival that unites the nation.
“It is in response to the current social concerns that this year, our major theme is “Nigerian Peace and Unity…Our Pride” as our contribution to attitudinal reorientation and value disposition against hate speeches.
“The fact that Culture has the capability to reposition any given society towards greatness necessitated the council to use the instrumentality of culture to address the current state of our socio-economic challenges.
“The abundant potentials of our diverse cultural manifestations if properly harnessed and developed can gainfully engage our teeming youths and women that are both rural and urban based so that the sector can contribute meaningfully to the change agenda of the present administration..
Also for the first time in the history of NAFEST, this year’s edition was a record breaking event as it did not only feature innovation but also got Rivers State taking the baton to host the 2018 edition, a step well applauded by all and sundry, saying it is a good omen for the future and sustainability of the national festival.
He said the theme of the event as “Nigeria peace and unity our pride” is very apt at this crucial period of the nation’s history, adding the state would have wished the event to continue a little longer so that the participants will experience more of the state’s hospitality.
He maintained that peace and unity is of outmost importance as Nigeria has come to be as a nation.
In his remarks at the event, the Director-General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Olusegun Runsewe stated that the hosting of 2018 NAFEST by River State will open a new vista for economic activities through culture in Nigeria.
Runsewe assured all and sundry that every state is uniquely endowed with area of comparative advantage to showcase the best of the people culture, explaining that Rivers State which is also an enclave of blend of culture, people and geographical landscape in the history of Nigeria and the revere heritage of the people will put up an exciting spectacle come 2018.
“From all indications, the festival is going to be bigger and better based on the track record of Governor Nyesom Wike and his giant stride in the state.
While urging Nigerians to hold tenaciously to their culture, Runsewe added that “our culture is our pride and all hands must be on deck to move it forward.”
He said nobody will build Nigeria for us except by Nigerians themselves.
He re-emphasised the need to use cultural diplomacy to tackle the issue of hate speeches in the country.
The DG thanked the management of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and others for their support and participation at the event.
Also speaking during the talk the walk at the skill acquisition section of the festival, the Director, Corporate and Strategic Planning of NCAC Mrs Ann Kanu, disclosed that the skill acquisition is one of the unique features of NAFEST 2017 because it drew participants from all walks of life where the students were trained to be self reliance through the learning of special skills and knowledge that will shape their future.
“Basically what we are doing is looking inwards to add value to . We class the children and they will be given certificates, like this task is rags to rugs, teaching them how to make rugs from rags, they are also learning how to produce rugs by using bags of rice and wool.
With the training, they can make some little money anywhere they found themselves instead of waiting for government or somebody to give them money. Some of participants are learning how to do hair, traditional hairdo, perfumes production, liquid wash, necklace, bags, branded slippers. The participants are coming from outside, some are housewives, children. This is making them to look inwards and is alternative to looking for jobs.”
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