By Imelda Osayande
Benin – Mr Osazee Osemwingie-Ero, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs in Edo, has assured delegates and prospective guests at the 32nd edition of 2019 National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in Benin of memorable and colourful event.
Osemwingie-Ero gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin on Monday, ahead of the opening ceremony of NAFEST at the University of Benin (Uniben) Sports Complex.
He said that majority of the the participating states’ delegates had arrived Benin.
According to him, Edo has friendly environment as exemplified by the colourful ambience of the the city and its environs.
NAN reports that the podium at the Uniben sports complex has beautifully been decorated with the logo of NAFEST, while major roads in the city now wear new looks.
Different cultural troupes from the various local government areas of the state and neighbouring Delta are on ground.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigeria Peace Corps and members of the Edo Public Works Volunteers were seen complementing security agencies in the control of human and vehicular movements in and around the sports complex.
NAN recalls that the Commissioner of Police, DanMallam Mohammed, had said that 730 officers and men of the command were deployed to provide security for the festival.