altThe Executive Director, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Mr. M.M. Maidugu, has said that the National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST), the unity forum, is a vital tool for mitigating the current economic and developmental challenges facing the country.

He said the annual event, organized by NCAC, as part of its vision to use culture as a cornerstone in building a solid nation, where Nigerians will see their cultural diversity as a source of strength, is designed to show case, celebrate and harness peace, industry, and cultural potentials of the over 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria in order to foster unity and oneness.

Maidugu, therefore, enjoined Nigerians to practicalise the lessons derived from the festival, as it will go a long way in creating the desired country Nigerians are yearning for, and expressed his profound appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, for his unwavering support for the culture sector and the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, for the innovative strategies put in place to transform the sector in line the Transformation Agenda.

Ahmed Mohammed
NICO NCZ