Nigerian Cultural Sector

CALABAR CARNIVAL ON THE MOVE

2012-01-28T01:23:00.000-08:00

I am currently in Calabar. Aside from having been here to see the last edition of the Carnival Calabar, I have had the good luck of being here to see some of the post-event actions too.

Just two days ago, the head of the Tourism Corporation was on air to do a review. Most salient amongst the things he revealed are (1) that the Calabar Christmas Festival, of which the Carnival Calabar forms the pinnacle has achieved 60% sponsorship level. Great news (2) That sale of tickets for segments of the festival, which includes sale for covered seats at the adjudication points of the Carnival is on the rise as evidenced by the last edition and (3) that his organisation is planning to have all year round tourism events .

Just as if to ride on that, it came to light barely 24hours thereafter that some communities within the state have taken it upon themselves to replicate the Carnival Calabar in their communities. Brilliant way, I say, of spreading the joy and discouraging rural -urban migration.

Kudos to the Cross River State and all its functionaries.

Proof once again that we are right who say the tourism and culture sector should shake off its image of drain pipe.

Abuja Carnival set to go !

2010-11-17T10:58:00.000-08:00

The next big thing on the Nigerian scene is the Abuja Carnival, the national carnival of the world's biggest assemblage of black people.

It is scheduled to take place from the 27th- 3oth of this month in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The states are fully mobilised to take part in it as the Management Committee had earlier done a series of Zonal Workshops to enlighten the states as to what the shortcomings were in their efforts at participation in previous years. Based on the new level of enlightenment amonmgst the states, it is expected that the competitive elements of the carnival will much more closely contested than in early years.

The foreign participation componewnt already has the presence of Egypt, South Africa and Canada in the kitty. It is scheduled for the 29th.

The Abuja Carnival has entrenched itself as the world's most diversified carnival. Aside froim the usual street parades and the Foreign troupes' participation mentioned above, it also features a durbar, a boat regatta, a children's participation component, a food fair and a cultural market.

It is about Nigeria's most stable cultural tourism event, holding unfailingly in the third week of November every year. It is in its sixth edition this year.

Make sure you do not miss it.

NAFEST !

2010-10-31T11:38:00.001-07:00

I am reaching you from Uyo, capital of The Land of Promise.

13 states are already here making the necessary preparations for the beginning of NAFEST only two days hence.

Such preparations include getting their hostel spaces for artistes, hotel accommodation for officials, identification tags for all contingents, space for building exhibition stands and so on.

The main competitive events for this year are Dance, Documentation( crafts and dance) , Music solo for children and Food Fair.

The air is already festive.

NAFEST is from 30th October

2010-10-17T10:24:00.000-07:00

Yes, and that is official.

NAFEST 2010 will now hold from 30th October to 7th November. Venue is still, Uyo, capital of Akwa Ibom State.

See you there !

NAFEST 2010 !

2010-10-04T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Nigerian National Festival of Arts ( NAFEST) is upon us once again. This time, ity is scheduled to hold in Uyo, capital of the Promised Land.

Dates? For now , it is 9th to 17th of October, but a change might be in the air.

HOW SALUTARY IS THIS ?

2010-03-30T03:01:00.000-07:00

Although the seeds and pebbles game known variously in Nigeria as ayo,okwe,nsa-isong,dara,warri etc is played all over the world, there seems a concensus that it originated from Africa.Its recent resurgence is, unfortunately like other elements of our culture, being engineered from outside the continent.Most computerised versions that have seen the light of day have originated from Europe while systematised internationalisation is led by France and Britain.

Here in Nigeria, in spite of our claimed commitment to the promotion of traditional sports and games, we are finding it difficult to decide that a competition in this game should be part of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) although this would be the 33rd time the festival is being held.

Can anybody wonder then that the International Oware Society's world and African rankings do not feature even one Nigerian even though this is the favourite game of prominent citizens like General Olusegun Obasanjo and Major General Shuwa(rtd) ?

Of course,it is not all a negative story.My work on Nsa-Isong was itself triggered off by the decades-long efforts of Mrs Viloetta Ekpo,the Uyo NCMM,the AKS Traditional Sports Association and Engineer Mfon Amana. There is also a report of an annual competition sponsored by the proprietor of The Tent Manor ( a hotel in Uyo) while there is at least one school in the FCT that practices planned learning and competition amongst its pupils.Clearly this does not exhaust the list of efforts.

The real problem is that the enemy of the beautiful is the more beautiful. Our efforts and achievements detailed above pale to nothing when put beside the reports coming from Britain ,France and other lands regarding the promotion of the game.

We certainly need to buckle up if we are not to suddenly discover that this is one more heritage we shall need to re-learn from foreigners.

This call is not merely sentimental either! When our youths especially engage seriously in this traditionally valued game for pecuniary and other rewards, it can be part of the solution to youth restiveness. It will engage their minds,keep them off the streets, raise their self-esteem and provide them a safe and legal source of income.

The time for action is NOW: please,please,please do not let us suffer the indignity of having foreigners teach our children our culture. Learn oware(ayo,dara,okwe,nsa-isong,warri,etc) today,teach it to your children and generally join in its promotion.

IFACCA:The International Federation of Art Councils and Culture Agencies !

2010-02-12T04:42:00.000-08:00

Vision and Objectives: The International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies (IFACCA) is the global network of arts councils and ministries of culture.

Vision: IFACCA aims to benefit artists, arts organisations and communities worldwide.
Our vision is a dynamic network, sharing knowledge and creating understanding to enrich a world of artistic and cultural diversity.

Current African Membership includes :Botswana,Central Africcan Republic,Gambia,Kenya,Malawi,Mozanbique,Namibia,Niger,Nigeria,Senegal,South Africa,Tasnzania,Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Ayakoroma moves to the next level !

2010-02-02T07:13:00.000-08:00

When praying at the closing ceremony of the National Festival of Arts and Culture(NAFEST), Minna, Niger State 2009, Barclays Ayakoroma thanked God for the fact that NAFEST had moved to another level. As it happens, God was busy that moment preparing him(Barclays) for moving to another level. And so, Barclays Ayakoroma (Phd) is the new Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation(NICO).

We let you know earlier of the dynamism of this young icon of the Cultural Sector in our posting on the Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture, which he was in charge of then. Well, he did not leave that dynamism out of his approach to the new job.

Just go over to the NICO site and see for yourself. That is only a sign of the many great things this cultural administrator is intending to do at NICO, of which we shall be informing you as they unfold.

Enter Fluid Piano

2009-12-04T22:59:00.000-08:00

I am a lover of music. I play the guitar and the clarinet and I sing too.

I am extremely excited at this moment about the uunveiling of the fluid pianio, a re-invented version of that glorious instrument that will be capable of playing music from various cultures.

Whether or not you arae a musician, you simply need to read more.....

NAFEST takes off in grand style.

2009-10-17T01:16:00.000-07:00

The Nationaal Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST has finally taken off in grand style in Minna, capital of Niger State.That happened on the 13th of this month.

It was marked by the hosting Governor- known here as The Chief Servant- being visibly commited to the success of the venture.

The venue is branded all over with the greatest visibility being in the arena for traditional wrestling.A good number of cars specially branded for the festival are made available for officials and there are many other branded items besides.

State input into the opening ceremony was also visible. There was a calisthenic performance before the traditional states' parade and the day was rounded off with fireworks.

Competitive events at the festival include *dance/music presentation *special exhibition/live presentation * traditional wreestling etc while the non-competitive events include ayo and herbal medicine

NAFEST postponed ?

2009-09-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

Well. nobody is passing it as official information as yet.

Going by the texts passing between various heads of state art councils and their friends.however, it would seem that this year's NAFEST will no more start on October 3rd as previously announced but on the 10th day of that month !

Venue remains the same.

Confirmed:Art surfers first !

2009-08-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

For most of my colleagues in the Nigerian Cultural Sector and the Art World in general an eternal concern is the fact that government not only does not do enough for our field but always finds it the first recourse when budget has to be cut.

America and Europe get cited as examples of what it should be.

You can then imagine what our feelings must be when we hear this kind of news from Agency Press that even for America, less state expense is touching arts first..........

Visit Bayelsa Council for Arts and Culture online !

2009-07-23T00:37:00.000-07:00

Whatever might have been the faults of Diepriye Alamieseigha, his credits as a culture loving and culture-supporting Governor can never be denied or wished away. He it was that gave that establishment a young, dynamic and field-active Chief Executive in the person of Barclays Ayakoroma. The result has been an Art Council that is not only active on ground, but one of the very few that have any internet presence, making it a leader in the community of State Art Councils inspite of belonging to one of the youngest states. I have the honour of inviting you to visit Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture online.

NCAC Board Chairman goes visiting !

2009-04-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Chairman of the new Board of the National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC) paid a visit to the head office of that organisation on Friday this week.He is no less than Chief Ebenezer Babatope.

Government realigns the Cultural Sector.

2009-04-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

The Nigerian Cultural Sector which until recently was paired with the Tourism Sector to form the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism has once again been realigned. This time it goes into a Ministry of Culture and National Orientation.

NAFEST moves to Mina !

2009-02-03T05:22:00.001-08:00

This information is tentative, but it is about the most reliable you can get anywhere as at today viz- this year's edition of the prestigious National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) is scheduled to hold in Niger State in the first week of October.

If there is any change and we get hold of it, we will endeavour to be the first to get it to you .

NCAC concludes a Management Retreat !

2009-01-22T00:50:00.000-08:00

The management of the National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC ) just rose from a retreat held at the National Teachers Institute, Kaduna, with a resolve to achieve more in 2009.

Durbar Research Centre Website goes live !

2009-01-16T06:53:00.000-08:00

The National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC),in its efforts to promote culture and tourism, had earlier established a Naional Research Centre on Durbar Traditions, based in Kaduna, Nigeria. The sole aim was to research, document and promote the durbar traditions in Nigeria.

As part of that centre's attempts to reach out to the world, it recently launched its official website and you can be sure that it holds a lot of information for you !

Durbar Nigeria Website

Nigerian Art Council :where it all began !

2009-01-09T00:55:00.000-08:00

Many great things start small. It is hardly different with the formal sector of the Nigerian Cultural Administration.

Many of those now milking the sector hardly know or remember that the seeds of what is today known as the National Council for Arts and Culture and, arguably, one of the biggest parastatals in the sector started as a Non-Governmental organisation by the name Nigerian Art Council.

Can one then reasonably expect them to remember the deservings of people like Maitama Sule,Chief Dr Kola Balogun , Chief Dappa Biriye etc, ? In the early 80s, the NCAC issued a book on the history of the organisation. One name I eagerly looked forward to seeing was Frank Abiodun Aig-Imoukhuede.He was a member of the Nigerian Art Council team .When the transformation occurred it went through stages. First , the government was convinved to give the NAC subvention and later it was accepted as the official non-ministerial arm of the government's cultural administration efforts.
Mr Aig-imoukhuede was there through all that and became the first administrative head of the National Council for Arts and Culture in the capacity of Executive Secretary. As at the time the booklet was being issued, he was the immediate past head of the NCAC. Alas, I did not find his name on any page of that document ! I did not not know whether to laugh or cry !

What Is The Nigerian Cultural Sector ?

2009-01-05T11:40:00.000-08:00

So what excactly constitutes the Nigerian Cultural Sector ?

At the core of the Nigerian Cultural Sector structure is a ministerial department that goes by the name - Federal Department of Culture.

Complementing it at the Federal level are the following extra-ministerial departments :

(i) the National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC )
(ii) the National Commission for Museums and Monuments ( NCMM )
(iii) the National Gallery of Arts (NGA)
(iv) the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO)
(v) the Centre for Black Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC)
(vi) the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) and
(vii) the National Theatre Management Board ( NTMB)

Officially, the following are no more part of the Cultural Sector but continue to have cultural relevance :

(i) the National Copyright Commission (NCC) and
(ii) the National Archives.

Virtually all the 37 states of the Federation and the National Capital Territory have their equivalents of the National Council for Arts and Culture though they are known variously as : State Council for Arts and Culture, Cultural Centre Board orHistory and Culture Bureau.

Also to be added to the sector structure are the Professional Associations like the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners(NANTAP), the Society of Nigerian Theatre Artistes ( SONTA), the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) etc, the Non-Governmental Organisations including the foreign ones like the British Council, the Alliance Francaise, the Italian Cultural Institute etc, the Performing Troupes, the Exhibition Groups like AKA etc and finally, the myriad of unassociated artists and artistes.

I intend to be different !

2009-01-05T01:52:00.000-08:00

While trying to register this blog, I got to know about a beautiful blog that someone else is already doing and I will like to advise that you visit it :Nigerian Culture. I want to promise you however that there is something more for you to see on this blog.

Though I have refocussed the title for Cultural Sector, which would suggest a concentration on the infrastructure, I intend to foray further afield.

What are my credentials ? Aside from being a trained and active Theatre Artist ( actor,director for both stage, puppetry and film),I have devoted all my working life to the Cultural Sector, working in the foremost Nigerian extraministerial department ( we call them parastatals in Nigeria ) - the National Council for Arts and Culture. Click hereto reach the NCAC website.

So, I have reason to believe that you shall enjoy repeated visits to this blog. You are welcome !