A’Ibom Hosts NAFEST 2016

The Akwa-Ibom State
Government will host the “29th Edition of National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) scheduled for 2nd-9th October 2016 at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo (The State Capital). The 2016 edition of the event themed “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent (Investment diversification opportunities) in Nigeria’s creative industry, calls on participation from all 36 states of the federation, Local Government Councils, relevant tertiary institution, NGOs and the Market Women Association of the hosting state. The Festival is set to host between 35,000 and 60,000 people.
It would be recalled that over the last 29 years, NAFEST has consistently promoted national unity, craftsmanship, talent hunt, skills acquisition, amongst other things. The activities for NAFEST 2016 includes Traditional cuisine Exhibition Fair and competition, Traditional parade/charade of Dance; Introducing Arts and culture from the 36 states of the Federtion, FCT and Commonwealth Africa Nations, Arts and Craft Exhibition and competition, Traditional Wrestling competition (Junior Category), poetry citation and performance (school participation/children), indigenous NAFEST fashion exhibition fair, Moonlight Games/Essay Writing competition (Folklore and Tales), Drawing and painting Exhibition/competition, NAFEST Award Gala, Recognition for promoters and investors for the art and culture development in Nigeria, NAFEST variety night and music concert.
NAFEST as a national platform is designed to aggregate sectorial focus on wealth creation from the creative industry objective to investment diversification effort to grow the Nations GDP, this is achieved through economic patronage of international/rural artwork and crafts, artistes fashion designers, transport and logistic, food vendors, Hotel and Hospitality Providers and drinks and manufacturing vendors. Celebrating the 29th Anniversary in Nigeria, NAFEST remains a veritable platform for internally generated income for empowering SME and MSME Business, NAFEST is organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and duly endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture, Tourism and National Orientation. The event is supported by the Akwa-Ibom State Government, Ministry of Information and Culture, FRCN VON; Brand and Media partners include Pulse NG, Plant TV, Ben TV, Amandia Consulting, Vox Africa, NTA, Noww Magazine, Joseftree concept ltd among others.