It is wide, colourful, multi, diverse, regal, and rustic. For the commentator who ran the closing ceremony commentaries, “the dances are vigorous and rigorous”. Those are the sum descriptions of the cultures of the people of Nigeria as showcased, exhibited, and paraded at the 2017 NAFEST hosted by Kaduna State Government
The opening ceremony which took place on Tuesday October 31
commenced with a state-by-state cultural parade and march past after the
National Anthem had been sang: Borno State Cultural Troupe, Delta State,
Jigawa, Kano State (with their breathtaking acrobatic displays and flexible
dances), Lagos, Sokoto, Bayelsa, Rivers, Taraba, and then Kaduna, the host
state. In all, 21 states and the FCT participated. The dominant feature of drums,
music and dance make one to realise how huge music and dance are in the body of
Nigerian cultures.
After the parades and displays, Otunba Runsewe performed the
Calabash Opening ceremony, which he had innovated and unveiled at last AFAC
Expo to replace tape cutting ceremonies. The calabash remained open, as long as
the 5-day event lasted, climaxing on Saturday November 4, which witnessed
another colourful parades, music, and dances as part of the closing ceremony.
In his closing speech, Otunba Runsewe thanked Kaduna State people and the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for hosting the 30th edition of NAFEST, saying the event has deflected the notion that this part of country (North) is not safe.
In his closing speech, Otunba Runsewe thanked Kaduna State people and the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for hosting the 30th edition of NAFEST, saying the event has deflected the notion that this part of country (North) is not safe.
People have come from far and wide and have been safe here
for almost one week, he said. The D-G also advised Nigerians not to be distant
from one another. “Distancing ourselves from one another is not the best.
Nobody is going to fix Nigeria for us. We have to do it ourselves. Our culture
is our pride. Let’s be proud of it,” said Otunba Runsewe.
As part of the closing ceremony too, certificates of
participation were awarded to the states and individuals who took part. Bayelsa
State was awarded a second place certificate for bringing the 2nd largest
contingents (254) to the 2017 NAFEST, outnumbered only by Kaduna. Other prices
included: Best Behaved and Disciplined State (FCT, Gigawa, Benue); Most
Innovative State in design, packaging, and presentation (Ogun, Rivers, Taraba,
Nasarawa); NAFEST Legendary Award for Most Consistent State @ NAFEST (Kaduna,
Rivers, Ogun, Katsina, Kano); Traditional Cuisine Competition (won by Bayelsa,
followed by Delta, Kaduna, Rivers); Children’s Painting & Drawing
competition (won by Lagos State, followed by Kaduna, Katsina, Niger);
Traditional Wrestling Match (won by Kaduna, followed by Kano, Katsina, Lagos);
Best Musical Group Instrumentation (went to Delta State, followed by Bayelsa,
Ogun, Sokoto).
The Giant Golden Gong
was presented to Kaduna State for hosting the 2017 NAFEST, while the Emir of
Zazzaw, Shehu Idris, was given a special award by Otunba Segun Runsewe. The
overall winner of the 2017 NAFEST was Bayelsa. Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir
El-Rufai, represented by the Commissioner of Youth, Sports & Culture, Hon.
Daniel Danauta, said NAFEST fosters the survival and unity of Nigeria and Nigerians.
He urged participants and other visitors to go with the message that “Nigeria
has come to be, Nigeria has come to stay… 2018, Rivers we come,” he said, and
closed the calabash which officially brought the 2017 NAFEST to an end.
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com
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