37th CEC Meeting

The 37th meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture just held at the U.K Bello Theatre Complex, Mina, Niger State. 25 states and 6 Federal Parastatals were in attendance. Many issues of importance to the Nigerian Cultural Sector were discussed. The syllabus for NAFEST 2012 which is to hold in Kwara from Saturday 13th  to Saturday 20th of October was approved.

CALABAR CARNIVAL ON THE MOVE

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 !

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 !

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

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 !

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 ?

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.