By Osahon Osahon
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and the Director-General of National Council of Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe on Monday described NAFEST as a veritable tool for uniting country.
Obaseki, at the event, called on Nigerians irrespective of tribe and religion to unite and work for the common good and peace of the country.
The governor stated on Monday in his welcome speech during the opening ceremony of the 2019 NAFEST festival holding in Benin, Edo State capital.
The festival has as its theme; “Our Royalty, Our Pride.”
He stated that the festival as a “veritable tool for uniting the country as exemplified by the participating States.
“With this Festival, Edo is celebrating culture today because after 40 years the festival started, it has come to the home of culture.”
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Obaseki, while enjoining to governments at all levels to prioritize to festival as it capable of showcasing the country’s greatness, he assured the participating states of a memorable event.
On his part, Director-General of NAFEST, Otunba Runsewe, called on Nigerians to celebrate virtues that unite and promote peaceful co-existence amongst Nigerians rather than those that are capable of dividing the country.
According to him, “there is no reason for us to disagree; we will all live together as one nation.
“If you look at this festival today, it brought all tribes in the country together to celebrate culture in unity. This portend that Nigeria will be great again.”
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Earlier, the Chairman, House Committee on Arts and Culture, Mr. Ogbeide Ihama, commended Governor Obaseki for supporting the hosting of NAFEST in the state after 40 years of its existence.
Ihama assured that the National Assembly is determined and committed to supporting arts, culture and tourism in its bid to foist unity in the country.
Music maestros, Prof. Victor Uwaifo and Innocent Idibia AKA Tubaba as well as the Nigerian Army Women Corps thrilled participants attending the event which marked the 40th existence of the festival.
Earlier, the 36 participating States staged a march past to the delight of the spectators.
