The organisers of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) have hailed the forthcoming festival noting that Lagos State is ready to take the lead in the hosting the historic event which brings culture-active people from across the country under one roof.
Eko NAFEST 2022 runs from November 7 to November 13 at the National Institute for Sports, in the Nigeria National Stadium, Lagos.
The National Council for Art and Culture (NCAC) hoped that the biggest celebration of Nigerian culture would create over 3,000 jobs in the festival’s downstream sector with opportunities in the skilled and unskilled labour as well as skills acquisition supported by NCAC.
The Director General, the NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, said Eko NAFEST is a huge platform to create jobs, provide recreation opportunities and services as well as a one-stop cultural market for startups in technology, travel and leisure as well as water and marine tourism.
Runsewe added that “I have no doubt from experience that Eko NAFEST lunch, during which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu fully deployed support, will break records in adding value to socio-economic development projects of Lagos State Government.
Runsewe also noted that the National Stadium which has been abandoned for about 25 years have revamped by the Lagos state Governor with necessary provision adequate accommodation, transportation and health facilities at top gear as several delegates across the country is expected to attend the event.
He pointed out that already, Lagos hotels, especially those of them situated in Surulere, close to the National Stadium, the venue of the fiesta, are fully booked ahead of the November event.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Akinbile-Yusuf, says the state is 100 per cent set to host the 35th edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
Akinbile-Yusuf during a media tour of the National Stadium, venue for the festival in Lagos, on Friday, said all preparations had been completed.
She said that the festival would be the most memorable so far in the history of the nation.
She assured revellers across the federation that preparations had been completed in the area of infrastructure, security, transportation and others.
She appreciated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for the huge support enjoyed in ensuring the preparations were made in due course.
“As you can all see that we are 100 per cent ready to host Eko NAFEST, we have left no stone unturned and I want to appreciate Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the support enjoyed so far.
“Mr governor promised that he is going to make this year’s edition of NAFEST a story to be talked about by many, you can see that he has not only promised but he has backed his promise with lots of action.
“The governor has been able to rebrand the iconic National Stadium, it has become a new edifice everyone can be proud of,” she said.
The commissioner noted that all security agencies and agencies of government were working unanimously with the ministry in ensuring a successful outing.
She said even as the number of intending tourists for the festival keeps increasing on a daily basis, conducive accommodation would be provided for all revellers.
Akinbile-Yusuf, referring to a recent report, said Lagos was rated the 56th safest city in the world, assuring tourists of their safety.
She said the state had also designed creative programmes to feature during the 35th NAFEST, like the entertainment city and nightlife and concerts.
According to her, all stakeholders cutting across tourism, arts, culture and hospitality would be fully involved in the festival as they look forward to making bountiful sales.
She noted that the various local government aeas within the state would also be participating in the festival.
“Hosting this NAFEST is a thing of joy for me because I will get to see my brothers and sisters from across the country without travelling far and wide.
“As a state, we are excited because this is a huge opportunity for us to improve on our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and ensure the necessary data are generated for future reference,” she said.
No comments:
Post a Comment