…Culture Defines Us As A Nation – Gov. Wike
…As Alabraba Urges Youths To Imbibe Cultures
…Wike Has Won Hearts Of Nigerians – Runsewe
Beginning with a fine display of calisthenics, an ecstatic crowd roared at the Sharks Stadium, Port Harcourt as the 31st edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, tagged NAFEST Rivers 2018, was declared open in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Rivers State governor, Chief (Barr) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the host of dignitaries seated at the VIP stand of the full capacity stadium, did not miss a chance to applaud the performers who donned an all blue and white combination, depicting the traditional colours of the State.
Elsewhere at the stands, it was elegance on parade as contingents from all 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory sparkled in their finest colours, showcasing the uniqueness of the distinct cultures.
Although 22 out of the 36 State contingents participated in the opening ceremony, the event had a fair representation of the six geo-political zones in the country.
In his speech while declaring the festival open, Governor Wike said he considered sit a privilege to play host to the rest of the country, at the festival which Rivers State was hosting for the third time.
The governor noted that culture had remained the defining instrument that had united Nigerians where other areas had failed; adding that culture also reflects the customs and traditions of the various peoples of the nation. He said it was for these ingrained truths that the state accepted to host the event.
His words, “NIFEST became the veritable ground for all cultures in Nigeria to meet and unite. Our diversity is what defines our unity”, Wike said, urging Nigerians to take full advantage of the diversity to build a just, united and future place for our children.
The governor stated that since coming into office in 2015, the State had placed the development of culture and tourism as priority because of its importance because of not just the unity of Rivers people but Nigerians as a whole.
Revealing that the State had just completed the building of the finest cinema facility in the country, which is located at the premises of Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, the governor assured the gathering that NIFEST Rivers 2018 would go down in history as the best in Nigeria.
While wishing the visitors a pleasant stay in the Garden City, Governor Wike sarcastically promised any of them who ‘marries’ a Rivers girl, a plot of land with C of O.
Earlier in his address, Chairman of the occasion, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba said the choice of Port Harcourt to host the festival was significant because it had the capacity and right social climate for successful hosting of such important event that unites the nation.
He expressed joy that the peaceful atmosphere in the State had also made Port Harcourt the preferred destination for both national and international events.
“The acceptance of Governor Wike to host this event underscores the importance he attached to the development of culture and tourism sector in the State”, he said, recalling the success recorded with cultural celebration during the golden jubilee celebration of the State in 2017, a feat which he believes would be replicated to a national dimension at the ongoing festival.
Chief Alabraba who is also the Chairman of the board of Greater Port Harcourt Development Authority, urged the youths in the country to take advantage of the success of the festival to redirect their values towards cultures.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe thanked Governor Wike for accepting to host the event and also keeping to his promise to host the best NIFEST celebration, adding that the festival was instituted after the civil war as a catalyst to stimulate unity among Nigerians, using cultural celebrations.
“Governor Wike has won the hearts of Nigerians by organizing the best NIFEST in the history of our country”, he said and also commended the State for having the highest number of hotels in the country beside Lagos and Abuja.
The Director General also described the State as having the highest volume of flights in the country, stating that that could only be possible because of the prevalent peace in the State.
Other dignitaries that graced the event include wife of the governor, Justice Suzette Wike, former Governor Celestine Omehia, Rivers PDP Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, Chairman, Rivers council of traditional rulers, King Dandison Jaja, Rivers Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ikwuinyi Ibani Awajill, Senator George Sekibo and House Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism.
Also present were members of the Rivers State Executive Council, State Assembly members and traditional rulers.
