From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Commissioner for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Hon. Salifu Isah Idachaba on Friday in Ekiti indicated interest of Kogi to host the next 2022 National Arts Festival (NAFEST) in the state
The commissioner disclosed this during a chat with the management of Kogi State Council for Arts and Culture, during his supervisory visit to the State’s pavilion at the on going Ekiti NAFEST 2021.
In a press statement signed by the information Officer of KGSCAC, Comrade Gabriel Edicha stressed that the move was predicated on Governor Bello’s love for arts and culture, and also due to the impressive records of commitment of the State’s contingent at every festival in recent years.
To express the State Government’s readiness towards hosting the next edition in 2022, the Commissioner held a close-door meeting with the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, in company of Kogi State Ambassador of Culture, Hon Kemi Olawumi and SSA on Culture, Hon Oluwafemi Bolaji respectively.
In their separate remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Hon Ibrahim Benjamin, the Director, Culture, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Chris Yakubu, Kogi State Ambassador of Culture and SSA on Cultural integration, Hon Kemi Olawumi ICON and the Senior Special Adviser on Culture, Hon Oluwafemi Bolaji said Kogi has all it takes to host the next festival.
They expressed satisfaction with the impressive records of the Council at all times, urging them to go for more laurels in Ekiti.
Other States that have indicated interest to host the festival are Lagos, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Imo states respectively.
