The National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC) is set to excite the youths of Port- Harcourt with its free skill acquisition programmes as over 900 youths register for the programme at the ongoing National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Port- Harcourt.
The youths and other participants took out time to listen to guest speakers who are successful entrepreneurs at the Stakeholder’s Round-Table on Entrepreneurship held at the Obi Wali event centre in Port Harcourt on the essence of acquiring entrepreneurship skill and the need to start small and grow big.
The speakers who narrated how they started out with nothing but are employers of labour today explained that money to start should not be a problem.
The free skill acquisition component received a major boost with over 900 youths lining up to acquire various skills during the course of the event in Rivers State.
The major aspect of NAFEST 2018 as packaged by the NCAC in collaboration with the Rivers State Government is focused on building capacity and equipping youths with several skills to promote self sufficiency and entrepreneurship.
During the course of programme, thousands of youths will acquire skills in the areas of soap production, bead making, fashion design, shoe manufacturing, makeup, art and craft design and many more.
The director-general, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe reaffirmed this position while addressing both Trainers/Trainees and invited guests at the event .
Runsewe said: “The human angle to capacity-building is very important and this will be fully explored because we believe the youths must be empowered in our drive towards a better Nigeria.”
The NCAC boss stressed that NAFEST 2018 will not only be a display of fanfare but an avenue to empower youths to create wealth while also preparing them to assume the role of future leaders fully equipped with the requisite skills to take Nigeria to the next level.
The festival lasts for one week has other interesting components like indigenous games, traditional wrestling, cultural market, free medical checkups, traditional folklore, music and dance amongst many other varied inclusion.
The Festival kicked off with a colourful opening ceremony at the Sharks Stadium on Monday October 23 in Port – Harcourt.
The event which was declared open by Governor Nyesom Wike in a symbolic opening of the calabash, which is the director general NCAC and president World Craft Council, African Region, Otunba Runsewe’s unique style of declaring cultural events open was a show of the beauty and diversity of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
In his opening address at the event, Runsewe noted that the Festival of Art and Culture has continued to live up to its expectation and objective of fostering national unity, Peace, mutual understanding as well as building bridges of friendship among Nigerians despite tribe and tongue, culture or creed.
He noted that the theme of the festival, Nigeria: Our Festivals, Our Heritage” has been carefully designed to highlight the vibrancy of our indigenous festival, promote, project and perpetuate our rich cultural heritage.
L – R: The DG National Council of Arts and Culture, (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, Rivers State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide Briggs during the opening ceremony of NAFEST in Port – Harcourt on Tuesday, October 23
According to Runsewe: “It is unarguable that Nigeria is the most culturally diverse nation in the continent of Africa. Indeed, we are yet to see any cultural manifestation that are as rich and fascinating as those of Nigeria.
They include our spectacular Durbar, fascinating boat regatta, colourful masquerades, indigenous dance drama, elegant dress culture, exquisite art and craft, music film and so on. All these have come to mark Nigeria out as a cultural wonder of the world. As the director general of the National Council of Art and culture, I am committed to the task of ensuring that art and culture sector takes it pride of place as a key player in the nation’s economy”.
He observed that for the Rivers state Governor to give approval for the hosting of the festival in Port -Harcourt is a testimony to his recognition of the critical importance of culture not only in engendering national peace and unity, but also to the socio-economic development of the nation.
He commended Governor Wike for his full support and for putting in place all the necessary structures and facilities that have made NAFEST 2018 in Port-Harcourt a spectacular and unprecedented event.
Runsewe while appreciating Governor Wike recalled that when the instrument of the hosting of NAFEST was presented to the Governor early this year, he declared that he will do every thing possible to ensure that the event is unique and memorable.
He also commended the Rivers state commissioner of culture and tourism, Tonye Briggs Oniyide and the staff of the ministry for working tirelessly in ensuring the success of the event
Rivers state as the host city put up a fantastic show thus living up to its hype and promise of organising the best NAFEST in the history of the event .
All the 23 local governments in the state participated fully at the event with their beautiful costumes, dance steps, beautiful display by masquerades from Ikwere local government and others.
No fewer than 22 states plus the federal Capital are participating at the event.
