NAFEST 2022: Culture, A Veritable Tool For Peaceful Co-existence Among Nigerians –  Badmus

 

Sunday Okunade

Culture has been described as a veritable tool that can be used to build peaceful co-existence and harmony among Nigerians.

The Supervising Commissioner for Osun State Culture and Tourism Ministry, Engr. Olalekan Badmus stated this at the just concluded 35th edition of 2022 annual National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFES) with the theme ” Culture and peaceful co-existence,” holding at National Stadium, Lagos State.

Badmus posited that if Nigeria, being a Country with diverse Culture, languages, tribes and ethnics can come together as a body, there will be peaceful co-existence in the Country.

Engr. Badmus,while speaking with newsmen, added that if the cultural beliefs of every tribe could be understood and given maximum respect Nigeria will remain as one entity.

Enunciating what it takes to have peaceful co-existence in Nigeria, Engr. Badmus said: “It is very important to be culturally oriented and see other tribes as yours. When you get to another tribe’s land, you should show love through eating their delicacies, dressing the way they dress and even learning their language.We must also be culturally tolerant and loving”, he concluded.

The Supervising Commissioner however lauded the performance of Osun State Cultural Troupe as brilliant, charging them to be more focused and committed to win more laurels.

He further gave kudos to the administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for his approval of funds for the State to participate in this year’s edition of the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture.

In his opening remarks, the Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who was obviously delighted, announced that the event was aimed at catching the younger generation in other to perpetuate our cultural heritage.

He therefore charged all the participating States to be committed, focused and mix freely with one another.

The Programme featured competitive and non- competitive events such as fashion parade, drama, music and entertainment among all the participating States like Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Delta, Nasarawa, Ogun, Bayelsa and Rivers to mention but few.

It would be recalled that the preliminary events of the annual programme which ended today, November 13 was kick-started on November 7, 2022.

Present at the event were: the Chairman Committee on Culture and Tourism, Osun State House of Assembly, Prince Adeyinka Adetoyi; Executive Secretary, Osun Council for Arts and Culture, Mr Samuel Adeniyi;Coordinating Director, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Solabomi Akinsola; General Manager, Osun State Tourism Board, Mrs Oluwatoyin Ajayi; Management team of the Ministry; Top Government and Political functionaries as well as Cultural experts from all nooks and crannies of the Country.