El-Rufai counsels Nigerians on arts, culture

From Mohammad Ibrahim, Kaduna

Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai has said that “Arts and Culture form the core values of people’s being and the essence of their existence.
The governor stated this at the Kaduna State Festival of Arts and Culture-KADFEST 2017, which was declared opened by the Chief of staff, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’idu who represented the Governor.
The event with the theme; “Our Folklore: Harnessing Today As Tomorrow’s Heritage”, was held at Murtala Square, Kaduna.
Governor El-Rufai said the role of Arts and Culture is gaining more recognition in the current globalisation, just as our folklore provide invaluable insight into our historical existence.
According to him, “Our rich cultural heritage keeps our memories alive on how beliefs and Cultural expressions have contributed to the development of our society”.
“Kaduna state is a land of rich artistic heritage and endowed with abundance of creativity which is well demonstrated through art, dance,literature, folklore,music amongst many others which can provide sustainable development if properly harnessed.
“The theme of the event was aptly captured which is aimed at exploring those extant values that have bonded our people through promoting cultural ties and facilitating understanding among our diverse communities in Kaduna state as well as the provision of opportunities and platform for interaction and exchange of ideas.
“The event is informed by the need for the state to tap its vast and robust cultural and arts potentials and re-oriented our people for socio-economic and political transformation of our dear state and the country in general”, he said.
He urged the 23 local governments to take their participation in 2017 KADFEST so seriously because it is the doorway to their successful hosting and participation in the 2017 edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture-NAFEST, which Kaduna state has accepted to host.
In his speech, the host who is also the Commissioner, Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, Hon. Daniel Dan Auta noted that,” Since inception in 1975, KADFEST has served effectively as one of the veritable forums for the promotion of unity and peaceful co-existence among the diverse cultural complexes in Kaduna state.
“contribute immensely in enhancing the resilient character that has marked Kaduna state out as a study in harmonious co-existence in Nigeria which has helped in no small measure to facilitate and sustain Kaduna’s central role in regional, national and international, as well as other beneficial economic, social and political fora.”

According to him,” KADFEST has also been a vehicle for domestication of the principles and objectives of the National Cultural Policy which gives a great sense of responsibility that the entire management of the Ministry commended the Executive Governor for his continued support for the realization of its objectives.”‎

Hon. Dan Auta maintained that,” KADFEST is the premium multi-faceted festival organized by the state Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture to show-case and market the high-yielding investible Arts and Cultural potentials that abound in all nook and corners of the State.”‎

from peoples daily