altThe official opening ceremony of the dance drama event at the on-going National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST 2012), took place yesterday, Wednesday, 17 October 2012, with presentations from about 14 States Performing Troupes, revolving around the theme, “Culture, Peace and Economic Empowerment.”

The live presentations or representations on stage by the various states conveyed the message that culture and conflict are natural to human beings, but that violent conflicts can be avoided through negotiations and reconciliations, rather than taking hard and uncompromising positions.

The dance dramas also projected the rich diverse cultural values and practices inherent in our society and how they can also be used for nation building, enhance societal peace and economic empowerment, rather than using them to threaten social unity.

States that performed include, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Delta, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Osun, Oyo, and Rivers, just as the rest states are expected to go on stage on Thursday for their own presentations.

altThe Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Mrs. Ibikun Odusote, the Executive Director, NCAC, Mr. M.M. Maidugu, the Executive Secretary, NICO, Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, and the Artistic Director, National Troupe, Mr. Martin Adaji, were among the dignitaries that were at the thrilling event.

Naseer Saeed Atiegba
NICO NCZ