This year’s edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) is now slated for September 3-10 in Makurdi, Benue State capital.

At the 28th meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation held at Aminu Isah Kontagora Cultural Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, last July 17 – 20, the culture directors agreed that the festival, which was aborted last year due to the ill-fated plane crash that killed senior military officers, be moved to Benue State come September.

At the end of the three-day meeting and deliberations, the culture directors resolved among others as follows:

•That the Syllabus of the 2007 edition of the National Festival for Arts & Culture (NAFEST), scheduled for Makurdi, Benue State, from 3rd - 10th September 2007, with the theme, Culture, Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, is adopted for implementation.

•That CEC members should attend NAFEST 2007 early to facilitate the scheduling of the competitive events.

•That members should maintain high professional standards for both the competitive and non-competitive events of NAFEST 2007.

•That CEC urges state governments and the FCT to graciously fund participation of their contingents for NAFEST 2007.

•That states are encouraged to set up States Crafts Committees, as a matter of urgency, to enhance development of local arts and crafts.

•That CEC commends the proposed programmes of NCAC, namely, NAFEST 2007, Fourth Culture of Peace and Dialogue Forum 2007, National Traditional Wrestling Championship 2007, National Exhibition on Arts & Crafts, Sixth NCAC Honours Lecture, and notes that NCAC should endeavour to send letters of invitation to members to facilitate participation.

As a parting gift for culture directors, Mrs. Unongo commended the resolve by CEC to place our richly endowed culture on a sound pedestal, noting that most great nations today have effectively utilized arts in their development process to express and mould visions. She noted further that the Benue State government placed premium on the promotion and development of the rich culture of the State, and expressed gratitude to CEC for granting the hosting right of NAFEST 2007 to Benue State.

In his own remarks, Mr. M. M Maidugu, Executive Director/CEO of the National Council for Arts & Culture, congratulated Governor of Benue State, noting that the governor will bring his wealth of experience at the National Assembly to bear in the governance of the state.
Maidugu also enjoined Chief Executives of Culture to be more proactive, creative and resourceful in making meaningful inputs towards the actualization of the Vision 2020 project.