The annual festival which began on October 31st and ended on November 4, 2017 provided an avenue to showcase diverse cultural heritage, talents and spirit of national identity among the various tribes and ethnic groups in the country.
In addition to their display, the festival was geared towards revamping the cultural sector, with a view to making it a source of revenue for the country. The festival also gave priority attention to accelerating the commercial and economic contents of cultural assets identifiable in each state of the federation.
This year’s festival themed Nigerian peace and unity, our pride opened with a Durbar performances as the Zazzau emirate displayed its rich culture at the popular Murtala Square. It was colourful as various traditional title holders under the emirate including Turakin Zazzau, Barden Zazzau, Iyan Zazzau, Sarkin Yarbawan Zazzau, Dan Galadiman, Wazirin Zazzau and Yeriman Zazzau among others, led their team on beautifully decorated horses in a procession to pay homage to the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris who was seated alongside other dignitaries including the deputy governor of Kaduna state, Architect Bala Bantex.
Sounds from powder guns were also a common feature at the event as several gunshots created an atmosphere of excitement and celebration.
Also, contingents from different states of the country and local government areas of Kaduna State in a procession danced and displayed their rich, unique cultures and traditions. Each contingent appeared in uniformed attire in a match pass to salute the dignitaries. States present at the event included Niger, Delta, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, Nassarawa, FCT Abuja, Ogun, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Zazzau emirate and Kaduna LGAs among others. The celebration indeed brought people together in the spirit of unity irrespective of tribe, religion and political affiliation.
The festival was spiced up with variety of programmes including children’s stage performance, traditional wrestling, traditional cuisine competition, cultural children essay, free medical screening, free skills acquisition programme and cultural market among others slated for different days to keep the people in the mood of celebration as students and NGOs were also not left out in the celebration.
At the opening of the festival, the Director General of National Council of Arts and Culture of Nigeria, Otunba Segun Runsewe after performing the symbolic opening of a calabash coloured green, white and green said that apart from the showcase of cultural heritage of the Nigerian people, the festival also seeks to strengthen unity and love amongst the people.
The festival according to him served as a platform to bring people together to entrench socio-economic development in Nigeria. “Our fore fathers bequeathed a peaceful and promising nation to us and nothing must derail this good intention. There is need for cultural diplomacy because everyone comes from a culture and the culture has a base.
While he condemned the use of hate speeches, he called for the use of cultural approach to control the menace. He also stressed the need for the nation’s cultural heritage to be sustained as the next wealth of the nation. Beyond celebrating culture, the festival is aimed at celebrating life, love, peace and unity among Nigerians. For over 30 years, Nigeria has been depended on oil as its major source of revenue, therefore it is time to reawaken the consciousness of the people towards revamping the cultural sector and making it a source of revenue for the country,” he said.
Kaduna has hosted NAFEST five times. The Governor of Kaduna, Governor Nasir el-Rufai who was represented by his deputy, expressed optimism that Nigerians will remain united as demonstrated by the different tribes and cultures represented at the festival.
He also made known the efforts of the state government towards building capacity and developing talents as well as grow its arts and culture sector. “Kaduna is home to many attractions and cultural destinations, as such, the government is planning to harness all of these in its drive to create jobs for the teeming youths of the state,” he said, noting that the state is yearning for massive private sector input in the state.
At the NAFEST colloquium themed Nigeria’s folklore: Harnessing today as tomorrow’s heritage participants unanimously agreed to the fact that there is need to concentrate on the African folklore as a measure to save the declining fortune of African culture in Nigeria.
The Presenter of the famous Tales by Moonlight on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Nkem Osaeloka Orakwe at the colloquium lamented that the influx of foreign cartoons and stories is overtaking the local heritage, saying, African stories can be a money spinning venture if properly harnessed and well packaged.
According to her, such African stories if well packaged can be a money spinning venture due to the possible originality that can be presented to the outside world using the latest available technology. The move according to her has become pertinent because the internet has seriously affected the African children, hence, the need for an alternative platform to imbibe in them the rich African culture. She also blamed the decadence in the society particularly among younger generation to too much exposure to foreign culture.
She however stressed the need to package programmes that will teach young ones about their own culture including how to show respect and greet elders as well educate them on why they must imbibe such culture. “Our rich cultures must be put on the front burner,” she added. Mrs. Orakwe further maintained that the African continent must concentrate on its folklores so as to check the declining fortune of its cultures.
At the end of the events, Bayelsa State emerged champion of the festival. While the host, Kaduna State emerged second, Lagos State contingent took the third place.
Kaduna State had earlier emerged winner of the traditional wrestling competition. The Kaduna wrestler, Ibrahim Shehu overpowered his Kano state counterpart, Mujiheed Mohammed to emerge champion in the final round of the competition.
For the 3rd and 4th place matches, Katsina state wrestler, Salau Umar won his Lagos counterpart, Oke Akinbowa in another keen wrestling. The Champion coach, Dan Sabo Haruna attributed the victory to hardwork, dedication and determination to achieve results. “Even though we won, the fight was not easy and our opponent was not a work over. I also discovered some loopholes which we will work on,” he said.
Kaduna passed the baton to Rivers State, which is expected to host the festival next year.
