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NAFEST
By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Abuja, Sept. 28, 2016 (NAN) The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says organising multiple national festivals of art and culture every year can provide job opportunities for youths including women.
The Director-General of the council, Mrs Dayo Keshi, said this when she featured at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.
Keshi stated that the organisation of multiple festivals within a year will help sustain the country’s creative industry by keeping the enterprising public busy.
“It’s not necessarily only those who are exhibiting art and craft, you have a lot of people who even sell outside that.
“So if that is so, you begin to see the economic value that is embedded in such a festival, and then moving forward you begin to see the multiplier effect of holding a NAFEST at about five different locations within one year.
“In Edinburgh I am told that they have 300 festivals per annum; so that means festivals are held there almost every day.
“Nigeria has the size and it has the creative industry enough to push the same feat as having at least five to six more, so that eventually it becomes a part of the people.
“This is a key area that Nigeria should support because it empowers the youths, women, (and) it provides jobs.
“It also sustains our indigenous creative industry, ensures continuity and above all, it provides for the rich, the poor and the middle class.”
Keshi said the art and craft sector could yield massive income for the country with minimum investment.
The director-general, therefore, underscored the need to expose younger generations of Nigerians to the diverse and rich cultures of the people in the country.
“We must face the reality of what is on (the) ground.
“This is the one area in our festivals – our art and craft – that we can easily make a small investment in.
“We don’t need billions of naira to invest in an art and craft business; we need only a little amount and the impact this will have on wealth creation at the grassroots will amaze you because it will create jobs and empower people.
“NAFEST needs to be sustained so that children can appreciate the diverse and rich cultures of the Nigerian people.”
NAN reports that the annual NAFEST is scheduled to hold from Oct. 2 to 9 in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state. (NAN)
CMY/OSA/YEE
Edited by Shittu Obassa/Controlled by Emmanuel Yashim
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