Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation have been charged to come up with more proactive and innovative programmes that would have direct impact on Nigerians, especially in the area of wealth and job creation, poverty alleviation, as well as promoting peaceful co-existence and national unity.
The Executive Director of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), and Chairman of the Forum, Mr. M.M. Maidugu, gave the charge in his welcome address at the just concluded 33rd Meeting of Chief Executives of Culture (CEC) of the Federation, which held in Makurdi, capital city of Benue State, on Wednesday, 10th March, 2010.
Mr. Maidugu however gave members of the forum a pat on the back, despite all odds, to have remained focused and determined in their efforts towards changing the negative perceptions about Nigeria’s art and culture, “from a mere jamboree to a proactive and vibrant tool for economic growth.”
He described the gathering as “further demonstration of our individual and collective resolve at ensuring that the CEC Meeting will continue to be a leading forum for setting a vibrant agenda for the reconciliation of the development of the culture sector in Nigeria.”
He also expressed profound gratitude to Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State for his proactive and visionary administration, most particularly for being an ardent promoter of the rich cultural heritage of the State. His words: “We want to thank your Excellency for the understanding and commitment to good governance, which also manifested in Benue State having one of the most robust Cultural Troupes in Nigeria today.”
In his remarks, Benue State Commissioner for Information & Culture, Mr. Bernard Bem Melladu, prayed the organisers and participants to evolve ways of partnering with the private sector, and the various state governments to capitalise on our rich cultural diversity and tap the tangible and intangible dimensions of our rich cultural heritage, in order to generate employment for the teeming youths of Nigeria.
In declaring the meeting open, the Executive Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Chief Stephen Lawani, noted with delight that Benue State is hosting the apex forum of Chief Executives of Culture that fashions out the modalities for the conduct and hosting of cultural festivals in Nigeria twice, in less than five years, since hosting NAFEST in 2007.
The governor expressed his unwavering solidarity with the forum and urged members to remain committed and focused on their mandate of keeping the values and ways of life in our people alive, particularly, those that teach and emphasise truth, love and hard work, which are critical parts of our existence as Nigerians, and as Africans.
Governor Suswam concludes: “You should always bear in mind that by preserving our culture, you’re creating a link between our past and today, as well as with our future. These links are very important as they remind us about where we are coming from, with a view to helping us to appreciate our uniqueness”.
The event was attended by CEC members from about 28 states and the FCT, as well as heads of federal cultural parastatals, including the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma.
Gillowei James (Snr)
Media Asst. to the Executive Secretary
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