By Henry Akubuiro
Nigeria’s apex cultural showpiece, National Festival of Arts and Culture (Nafest) will kick off today, Monday, at the refurbished National Stadium, Lagos.
Already, many delegates have arrived Lagos for the annual cultural fiesta, dubbed Eko Nafest 2022, with Rivers intimidating other states with a 400-man team, who, on arrival, visited the National institute for Sports office at the National Stadium, temporarily housing the NCAC Director General, 0tunba Segun Runsewe, for the festival, to express their readiness to be the overall winner.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs oyinade Nathan Mash, who, together with Otunba Runsewe, was putting finishing touches to preparations, joined in receiving Governor Wike’s culture ambassadors and assured Lagos was determined to win the trophy. Besides, Benue State arrived with a 250-man contingent.
Meanwhile, sports men and women training at the National Stadium had praised the Lagos State Governor, Sanwo-Olu, for the transformation of sports facilities at the National Stadium, venue of the 35th Nafest, during visits to the NCAC boss.
Isa Tajudeen, a boxing buff, who spoke to the media, disclosed he was pleasantly surprised at the new transformation of the sports city. Bisi Otitiola, a long tennis enthusiast, who visited Otunba Runsewe at the NIS office, thanked the Lagos State Governor for their effort.
In reaction, Runsewe said: “We join the sports men and women to appreciate governor Babajide sanwo-0lu, and I must confess, sports can benefit from a robust relationship with culture, particularly with the sports and culture loving governor Babajide, Sanwo-0lu.”
The 45th National Festival for Arts and Culture, hosted by Lagos State Government, is expected to draw participants from 36 states of the federation and the FCT. It runs till Saturday, November 13.