45TH Meeting of Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation Ends in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

The 45^th meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation (CEC), which took place at the Governor`s office Annex, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, from 23^rd-26^th August, 2016, under the auspices of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has come to an end.

Declaring the meeting open on Wednesday, 24^th August, 2016, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Mr. Moses Ekpo, MFR, who is a former Director-General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), charged the meeting to use the auspicious occasion to brainstorm and strategize on how to reposition the nation`s culture to attract global patronage, in consonance with the Federal Government`s desire to prioritize the culture and tourism sub-sector as a major foreign exchange earner for the country.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and Chairperson, CEC, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, warmly welcomed all delegates to the August meeting, stating that the meeting was convened essentially to adopt NAFEST 2016 syllabus; assess the hosting state`s preparedness; and fine-tune other strategies for a better and successful NAFEST 2016, scheduled to hold from 2<sup>nd</sup>-9<sup>th</sup> October, in Uyo, with the theme: “Exploring the goldmine inherent in Nigeria`s creative industries”.

On his part, the Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom state, Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok, called on stakeholders in the culture sector to explore the option of partnering corporate and private investors in order to organize a successful, economically viable and glamorous NAFEST 2016.

Also in attendance at the meeting were the Director-General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), Dr. Ferdinand Anikwe, representatives of the Executive Secretary and Director-General of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) and National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), respectively, and thirteen (13) Directors of State Councils for Arts and Culture and History and Culture Bureaux.

The Akwa Ibom State Cultural Troupe held delegates and special guests spell-bound with their scintillating performances at the 45^th meeting of the August body, which came to a close after the Communiqué was adopted and the inspection of facilities for the national festival was concluded.

The meeting, as it is customary, had earlier paid a courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom state, His Excellency Mr. Udom Emmanuel at the EXCO Chambers, Government House, Uyo, where the governor thanked CEC members for the unanimous choice of Akwa Ibom State as host for NAFEST 2016 and pledged his support for a successful festival.

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