Communiqué Issued At The 34th Meeting Of The Chief Executives Of Culture Of The Federation Held At The Multi-Purpose Hall, Governor’s Office Annex, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, From 24th - 27th August, 2010.
Preamble:
The 34th meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation was held at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Governor’s Office Annex in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State from 24th - 27th August, 2010. In attendance were the Department of Culture, Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, seven (7) Federal Culture Parastatals including the host National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOURS), the National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), the National Gallery of Art (NGA), the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), National Planning Commission, and 27 States. The States were: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Taraba, and FCT.
The meeting was declared open by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, ably represented by His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Engr. Patrick Ekpotu, who urged the Chief Executives to fashion out ways to turn the rich and diverse culture and tourism potentials into reality so that the sector can contribute to the economic development of the nation.
The Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. M. M. Maidugu, in his welcome address urged all operators in the sector to device proactive and innovative cultural programmes that will have direct impact on the economy and the citizenry especially as Nigeria is celebrating her 50th Independence anniversary this year. Further, he noted the ability of national cultural engagements to transform the rural economy while serving as tools for economic empowerment and poverty alleviation.
Resolutions:
At the end of the deliberations, the following were resolved:
The meeting ratified 9th - 17th of October, 2010 as the date for the 24th National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) with the theme “Cultural Industries and Economic Empowerment” to hold in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
With reference to the Special Project for NAFEST 2010, attention was to focus on the use of ICT facilities towards attaining standardized format for packaging and marketing our cultural products at the global market.
With respect to Traditional Wrestling, the meeting reaffirmed that the operational guidelines were as approved by the Traditional Wrestling Association and adopted at the 33rd Meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation. This included the fact that States and the FCT are not allowed to hire Non-Nigerians to represent them at the tournament.
States and the FCT were encouraged to develop, update and keep proper statistics of their cultural products and services with a view to highlighting the economic viability and relevance of the sector
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) training programmes were commended stressing that it should be tailored towards the needs of the stakeholders to attain higher level of professionalism
State Governors and the Hon. Minister FCT were implored to adequately support robust participation of their contingents at National and International cultural fiestas such as the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), the African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC) and Abuja Carnival with a view to tap the economic potentials that abounds from the sector.
Appreciation/Conclusion
Delegates expressed profound appreciation to His Excellency, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, the Executive Governor and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for accepting to host and the wonderful reception accorded the delegates at the 34th Meeting of the Chief Executives of Culture of the Federation (CEC).
Furthermore the delegates commended the level of preparedness of the State to host the 24th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture from 9th to 17th of October, 2010.
Similarly, a special commendation was extended to the Hon. Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, who within the short period he took over the mantle of leadership of the Ministry has put in place some progressive measures towards repositioning and uplifting the sector to an enviable height.
Signed:
Mr. M. M. Maidugu
Executive Director/CEO
National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC)
Abuja, Nigeria
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
