Abuja- Mrs Dayo Keshi, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) said that children’s competition at the upcoming 2016 National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) would be award driven.
Keshi stated this when she featured at a forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.
“This year, we moved the children essay and art competition from just being participation to an award given aspect.
“This is done so that the children can take it more seriously; but most importantly to drive home a message that says whatever we are doing, we must carry the children along.
“However, as children are carried along, they would be able to secure what will happen in the future; that is another thing we are featuring in the festival,’’ Keshi said.
She emphasised that children participation in the previous editions of the festival were not award driven, adding that the 2016 edition was poised to enhance competitiveness.
According to her, winners of the competition will be given certificates, while the junior wrestling competition has also been upgraded to attract award.
“Our children are the custodians of our future heritage, if we fail to carry them along; they are going to become leaders tomorrow and won’t even know the importance of these festivals.
“But as long as we carry them along, they would grow up remembering them and not be ashamed to lay emphasis on their culture and heritage,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the 29th edition of NAFEST would hold in Uyo, between October 2 and October 9.
The theme for the festival is; “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigeria’s Creative Industry.’’
NAN also reports that NAFEST was established in 1970 after the end of Nigeria’s civil war to help promote national unity.
The festival coordinates, preserves, promotes and presents the very best of the country’s arts and culture.
The event which is organised annually by NCAC, has grown into a worthy celebration of Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
The week-long event is hosted in turn by different states of the federation.
During the festival, Nigeria’s cultural heritage is reflected through various competitive and non-competitive events like music, dance, traditional wrestling, and moonlight games for children.
Exhibitions and fairs for books, herbs, food and arts and crafts are also set up.
Participants at NAFEST are traditionally drawn from the 36 states of the federation and the FCT, sister culture parastatals, other government agencies, academia, cultural NGOs and relevant stakeholders in the sector.