THE Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has unveiled Osun State as the host state for the 2020 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
Runsewe said this recently when he paid a courtesy visit to the foremost traditional ruler during the annual general meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP).
The NCAC boss said he decided to bring the festival to Osun State to honour the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, for his contribution to the development of tourism and culture in Nigeria.
According to the NCAC Director General, since the ascension of the Ooni to the throne of his forefathers, the oba has not only been at the forefront of cultural rebirth in the Yoruba nation, but has also been involved in the development of tourism in Osun State.
He said: “Your Majesty, you are a man of two parts. You interact with the old and young; you are the bridge. You are touching lives with your expertise. We are very proud of you sir. Your Majesty, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
“I am in charge of culture. I am the President of the World Craft Council, Africa region. I am the Chairman of the Africa-Chinese Cultural Organisation and also Director General, National Council of Arts and Culture. I saw what you have done. You are the 51st Ooni of Ife. You’ve one chalet for every one of your predecessors, from one to 51.
“We want to celebrate you today. How many traditional rulers are creating jobs? How many of them are touching lives? How many of them are doing what you are doing? In the history of Nigeria, I will never forget December 7 when God gave you this throne.
“It touches my heart that most people don’t know your importance, but I think I am here to revel some of them. Immediately you got to the throne, the first thing you did was to visit the Alaafin of Oyo. You broke the jinx that was destroying the Yoruba nation. As you did that, you brought unity. Today, there is peace.
“It is very important to let you know that there is a festival that unites the nation. It is called NAFEST. I just got back to Benin. I met the oba because Benin is hosting it. But today, I took a decision. I am going to see the governor. The next NAFEST must be in Osun State. The Oba of Benin just endorsed the 2019 edition and 2020. Whatever it takes, it must be here in Osun State. The whole world must come here and see what you are doing.”
Runsewe called for a rail track to Ile- Ife as this would help boost the tourism receipt of the ancient city. He said Destination Ile-Ife would be ideal for health tourism as Nigerians spend so much to travel to Egypt, India, UAE and other parts of the world for health tourism. He described Ile-Ife as a place with the beauty of nature.
He praised the Ile-Ife Grand Resorts and Leisure built by the Ooni of Ife and urged for a rail system to link it up to other parts of the South West.
“If that place could have a rail system, even if it is two three coaches that come from Lagos to that resort, a statement has been made. I want to thank you, Your Imperial Majesty, for over 100 people employed in the resort. We celebrate you,”Runsewe said.
NAFEST is the festival that started after the civil war, in 1970 to unite this country back after the Nigerian civil war. It is held annually in different state of the federation. The 2018 edition was in Rivers State while Edo State expected to host the 2019 edition.
Source: The Nation
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