Communiqué Issued At The End Of The 45th Meeting Of The Chief Executives Of Culture Of The Federation (CEC) Meeting Held On 23rd – 26th August, 2016 At Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Preamble

The 45th Meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation (CEC) held at the Governor’s Office Annex, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State between 23rd and 26th August, 2016.

It was declared open on Wednesday, 24th August, 2016 by His-Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, MFR.

In attendance were the Representatives of Chief Executives of two Federal Parastatals of Culture: National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM) and thirteen (13) Directors of State Council for Arts and Culture/History and Culture Bureaux, (including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Ogun, Plateau, and Rivers).

The Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture and Chairperson, CEC, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, in her opening address, warmly welcomed all delegates. The core Agenda, according to her, was the final adoption of the NAFEST Syllabus; assess the hosting State’s preparedness to host a fiesta of such magnitude; and to elicit the necessary input towards achieving collective desires for a better and successful NAFEST. However, she passionately charged all to find ways of improving on the presentation and marketing of existing festivals, while inventing new ones.

Furthermore, she informed the meeting of the theme for 2016 NAFEST scheduled for 2nd – 9th October, 2016, which is, “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigeria’s Creative Industries”.

The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok, in his address, called on all stakeholders in the cultural industry to explore the option of partnering with corporate and private investors to organize a successful, economically viable and glamorous NAFEST 2016.

In the opening address of the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Moses F. Ekpo, MFR, he requested that the meeting should brainstorm and strategize on how to re-position Nigeria’s culture to attract global patronage as a major foreign exchange earner for the country, given the Federal Government’s re-investment drive in Culture and Tourism sub-sector. He further said that Nigeria can become a global power in Culture as well as a major exporter of Culture with the right mix of resources and tourism integration. He then intimated the meeting of the need for a massive cultural revival through strategic acculturation.

Observations:

The meeting noted the following:

  • That NAFEST 2016 shall focus on Arts and Crafts Competition, Indigenous Poetry Performance, Drama, Traditional Wrestling, and Indigenous Cuisines where Children are to interpret NAFEST 2016 theme through Essay Writing, Painting and Drawing Competition.
  • That it is needful to introduce innovations and creativity in designing, packaging and interpretation of the syllabus contents.
  • That Nigeria has a comparative advantage in the cultural global market and we must all take its advantage and explore.

Resolutions

Every State and Federal Parastatals of Culture present was given the opportunity to report on their activities and make comments. At the end of the deliberations, members unanimously resolved as follow

  • The Meeting reaffirmed Akwa Ibom State as host of NAFEST 2016;
  • The Meeting adopted to do the Arts and Craft as a Competitive event; and
  • Traditional Apartment was agreed to be skipped till next time due to its high cost implications.

Courtesy Visit

The meeting paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel, to appreciate his support to the State’s culture sector and the hospitality extended to delegates to the meeting. The Executive Governor received the Members at the Exco Chambers at the Government House, Uyo. The State indicated strong interest in hosting NAFEST 2016 as proposed by the April body.

Appreciation

The Meeting commended the Akwa Ibom State Government and her people for hosting the 45th edition of Chief Executives of Culture Meeting in the city of Uyo, in spite of the current economic challenges and for their tireless efforts in the sector and enduring commitment to the development and growth of Culture and Tourism.

It also commended the culture-friendly administration of His Excellency, Mr. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel exemplified through the pursuance of the various Infrastructural projects and empowerment programmes.

Communiqué Drafting Committee 

Members are as follows:

  1. Dr. Bashir A. Sallau (Katsina State)      –           Chairman
  2. Mrs. Melutia Ogunremi (Ogun State)   –            Member
  3. Deede Baede (Rivers State)                     –           Member
  4. Onyekachi Ekeleme (Abia State)            –           Member
  5. Amalaha, R. Obinna (NCAC, Abuja)    –           Secretary