By Charles Ajunwa
The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has assured that the state was determined to make this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), a memorable experience. Governor Fayemi said that Ekiti was the most suitable state to host such a national programme of this magnitude, adding that Ekiti State was one of the most peaceful and hospital places in the country.
The governor who stated this at the inauguration of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for NAFEST 2021 at the Government House, Ado Ekiti. said Ekiti State will host the festival between November 13 and 20.
Fayemi urged members of the LOC to put in their best and write their names in gold. “Justify the confidence repose in you. There is a nexus between culture and development,” he added.
He promised members of the LOC support and urged them to discharge their duty with dedication, so that they can give a NAFEST everybody will be proud of.
Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, commended Governor Fayemi for the administrative structure being put in place, culminating in the constitution of the state LOC to be inaugurated.
He assured that the Council would work closely with the state to ensure that this year’s NAFEST will be one with a difference.
“Looking at the theme of the festival ‘Celebrating National Unity in Diversity’, there is no better state and time to celebrate this diversity and strength of the Nigerian nation and her people,” he said.
Ekiti State Commissioner for Arts Culture and Tourism, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, described the inauguration as historic because it is the first time the LOC of a national event of this magnitude is being inaugurated in the state
He noted that in the last two years, culture and tourism sectors of the state had witnessed great and remarkable revolution.
According to him, the right to host NAFEST this year was borne out of determination of the state to make Ekiti a beehive of social economic activities. “This is with the consciousness to stimulate tourism activities and create prosperity for our local entrepreneurs and traders. This further bears another testimony to the genuineness of government intention to eradicate poverty by attracting local and global investment opportunities to the state,” he said.
The ceremony witnessed the presentation of gifts by Otunba Runsewe to Governor Fayemi, his wife and Prof. Bakare.
