Ekiti state, host state of the 2021 edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture has emerged overall winner of the the event which ended over the weekend in a colourful display of diverse culture from across the various parts of the Country. Declaring the event closed at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state on Saturday, Governor Kayode Fayemi described the event as one which indeed goes a long way to celebrate the Nigerian people and its cultural diversity.
The theme for the festival was “Celebrating, National Unity in Diversity” as over 30 states of the federation featured during the event. Ekiti state got the first position, Rivers second, Bayelsa and Benue states joint third position, Delta and Nasarawa states came fourth while Ogun and Lagos states got the fifth position.
Rivers state won big as the state it bagged home the best costumed state, state with the largest contingents for 34th NAFEST and best in synergy and teamwork.
Rivers state also got first position in traditional cuisine competition, Children essay writing, children’s arts and crafts, children’s tales by moonlight and Nigeria fabric and interior decorations competitions.
Also referred to as the Nation’s treasure base, Rivers state got second position in archery and children drama competitions, third position in traditional board game, indigenous fabric and fashion competitions.
Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide who is the current Commissioner for Culture and Tourism. Rivers State, expressed excitement that though the state got overall best position, the first position was keenly contested for. She said this had come as a challenge for the state to perform better in the next edition of the festival, adding that Rivers state is capable of uniting the nation.
“I am excited, we have have always blazed the trail at almost every NAFEST event we participate in. Its in us to win, and I am glad we won back to back again this year. This shows that the first position was keenly contested for and we were nearly there. And for us, it comes as a challenge to be better in the next edition,” she said.
Jigawa and Gombe states won the prize for the most improved state, while Ondo, Nasarawa and Kano states won the prize for the most creative and innovative states in design, packaging, and presentation while Borno, Kaduna and Benue states won most consistent states.
Osun, Niger and Zamfara states also the prize for the best entrepreneurial state. While Bauchi, Plateau and Abia states won prizes for the best in digital marketing of Arts. Meanwhile, Lagos, Rivers, Ogun states and the Federal Capital Territory won prizes for the best in synergy and teamwork.
For the competitive events in Traditional cuisine competition, FCT and Imo won the 5th position, Bayelsa state came fouth, Ekiti and Delta states won third position, Nasarawa state took second while Rivers state emerged first.
For Children essay writing, Lagos state bagged 5th position, Nasarawa state came 4th, Gombe state got third position, Benue state had second position while Ekiti state and Rivers State emerged first.
In children’s arts and crafts competition, FCT got 5th position, Benue state won fourth, Ogun state had third position, Lagos State took second position while Ekiti state emerged first.
Nassarawa state won first position for Archery, Ekiti and Rivers states won first position for Children’s Drama competition. Meanwhile, the traditional board game competition allso known ass ‘Ayo’ saw Nasarawa state in 4th position, Rivers state in 3rd position, Ekiti and Lagos states in 2nd position while Bayelsa state came first.
