Wike flags off NAFEST 2018

Okafor Ofiebor /Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Tuesday declared open the 31st National Council for Arts and Culture, NAFEST Rivers 2018, amid pomp and ceremony at the imposing Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt.

Wike, dressed in beautiful Rivers traditional attire with a walking stick to match , stated that NAFEST 2018 would serve as a unifying force for the country .

With the theme: “Nigeria: Our Festivals, Our Heritage”, NAFEST Rivers 2018, attracted 18 States of the Federation, Rivers State included.

The governor said culture empowered humanity by improving inter-personal relationships, noting that NAFEST was a platform for the states to make the most of the nation’s culture.

He said: “Whether we agree or not, our diversity is what defines and binds us as a nation under the glorious sun. Although our tribes and tongues may differ, we are a nation bound by a common destiny and firmly glued together by the spirit of brotherhood, cultural harmony, and inter-ethnic solidarity instead of discord, tribalism, nepotism and sectionalism.

“What is imperative therefore is for us to take full advantage of the innate strength in our diversity together with our incredible human and natural resource endowments to build a just, united and prosperous country for the present and future generations.”

Wike added that the essence of the festival was to promote national peace, unity and cohesion.

Wike said: “Over the years, NAFEST has become the veritable platform for the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory to meet, showcase and make the most of our cultures and diversity.

“In addition to celebrating the rich cultural tapestry of our country, NAFEST also provides the opportunity for cultural activism with the use of creative images and expressions to engage or take on our leaders on the politics of nation-building, human rights, regional integration, inter-ethnic harmony, national peace and development.”

In his remarks, Director General of NAFEST, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe commended Wike for for making history for the people of Rivers State.

He said: “Almighty God will repay Governor Wike for his contributions to the peace that he is promoting “.

Runsewe said that Rivers State was peaceful, which was why the state was hosting several international and national events.

He said that outside Lagos and Abuja, Port Harcourt enjoyed the highest air traffic and hotel patronage in the country.

Rivers State Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Tonye Oniyide Briggs said that Rivers State was fully prepared to host the very best of NAFEST since its inception.

Chairman of the events, Chief Ferdinand Alabrabra said that Rivers State was the choice of all major national events because of its strategic peaceful nature.

All the states that participated at the event displayed splendid culture and dance as they paraded round the stadium.

The 23 Local Government Areas of the state also displayed their rich culture and tradition.

Youths spiced up the event with wonderful calisthenic displays that thrilled the thousands of spectators at NAFEST Rivers 2018