altThe Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, who is also the Chairman, National Technical Committee of the National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST 2012), Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, says apart from the main traditional role of promoting national peace and unity, NAFEST is also designed to develop skills, talent-hunt, and market the best of our cultural heritage.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after a tour round the Cultural Market and Food Fair at the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, venue for this year’s festival, Mrs. Odusote said NAFEST had proved, over the years, that the culture sector of our economy had inherent and abundant resources from which Nigerians can seek and sustain employment, as well as good ways of living, thus, a good initiative for Nigeria.

altThe Permanent Secretary, who was accompanied by the Executive Director, National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC), Mr. M.M. Maidugu, said it was the desire of the organizers that at the end of the day, the festival would complement the various strategies put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, aimed at arresting youth restiveness, creating job opportunities and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.

Creativity was at its peak as contingents from various participating states ushered organizers and the media to their pavilions, as they introduced eye-catching and mind-blowing works of arts and crafts, just as several mouth-watering and well-packaged indigenous culinary delicacies, such as coconut rice, Edikanko soup, Afang soup, white soup, pounded yam, dambun nama, and Alkaki, were on display.

Ahmed Mohammed
NICO NCZ