Eko NAFEST 2022: “We’re Using NAFEST to Promote Unity, Peaceful Co-existence in Nigeria” – Sanwo-Olu

Eko NAFEST 2022 – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, has said that this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) being hosted by the state would be used to promote unity and peaceful co-existence in all parts of Nigeria.

• Urges Nigerians to vote leaders that will unite the country.

• Commends Otunba Runsewe’s doggedness.

• Praised the efforts of Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf.

Sanwo-Olu, who disclosed this yesterday during the Command Performance by Lagos State cultural troupe with the theme: ‘Culture and Peaceful Co-Existence’ held at National Institute for Sports, Surulere, said everything about the cultural festival will revolve around the unity of the entire country.

“Today, is the Day 1 of Eko NAFEST and you can see that we are well prepared to receive everybody from within and outside Nigeria. The Command Performance from our cultural troupe we just watched showed that Lagos is ready for the 2022 Eko NAFEST and there are more things to showcase to the whole world in this seven-day cultural festival.

“ In fact, there will be so much fun, entertainment and so much information that will speak to the unity of our dear nation. And if you look at the theme of this year’s event, it is about Culture and Peaceful Coexistence which shows the importance of everybody to come to the roundtable and believe in one Nigeria. I believe everything we will be doing would revolve around unity of our dear country, Nigeria,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor also said that Otunba Runsewe’s doggedness was instrumental to the success of this year’s festival so far. Runsewe is the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, which organises the yearly iconic festival.

“As we celebrate the Nigerian heritage and cultural diversity here today, my clarion call is that we take this an opportunity to elect leaders who will recognise and take advantage of our rich, multi-cultural heritage and language to unify us as a people and as a nation which was the intention of our founding fathers.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised the efforts of Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, Honorable Commissioner, Ministry of Arts, Culture and tourism, Lagos State, towards the success of the 2022 festival hosted this year by Lagos State. He described NAFEST as a festival that showcases the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria saying “we are celebrating our unity and diversity with culture and arts.”

Given that 2023, an election year in Nigeria, is very close, the governor appealed to Nigerians to elect only leaders who will “protect our rich cultures and unite the country.”

In addition to other cultural displays from different states such as the popular Ohaofia War Dance from Abia State, different parts of Lagos State, the host state, showcased colorful Masquerades and breathtaking dances from different LGAs and LCDAs.

Some of the dances and masquerades that made appearances include the Agbo Remireke from Ijede, the Zangbeto Dance from Badagry (an official traditional police force, originally created to stave off criminals and protect the people), Igunuko Masquerade from Lagos Island (these tall masquerades possess the ability to drastically reduce their heights), the Apesi Masquerades in raffia costumes, etc.

As at the time of the opening ceremony, 29 out of the 36 states in Nigeria have registered for the 2022 Eko NAFEST. Some of the states are Rivers, Bayelsa, Ondo, Ekiti, Lagos, Benue, Abia, Kaduna, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Nassarawa, Jigawa and Katsina.

Other states are Edo, Kogi, Gombe, Delta, Kano, Zamfara, Osun, Kwara, Imo, FCT, Ebonyi, Taraba, Yobe and others.

More, possibly all states in Nigeria are expected to arrive before the festival which began last Monday, November 7, closes on Sunday November 13, 2023.

Dignitaries at the event include royal fathers amongst whom is the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja 11, Asoju Ase Ile Oodua, Oloye Ashabi Morounranti, Rivers State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, Special Adviser to the Governor, Barr. Olufemi Martins, Permanent Secretary Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oyinade Nathan Mash, Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film and Censors Board, Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, notable Nollywood practioners like Saidi Balogun, Ralph Nwadike and many others.