NAFEST takes off in grand style.

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 ?

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 !

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 !

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 !

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.

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 !

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 .