African Drum Festival Makes National Calendar

The Federal Government of Nigeria says the African Drum festival, which has received international recognition, will be included in the National Calendar.
The Minister for Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed disclosed this during the third edition of the African Drum Festival tagged, ‘Drumming for Advancement’, held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
According to the Minister, the festival has become a pride of the nation and Africa at large, hence the decision of the government to include it among the country’s festivals, assuring that the Federal government would continue to identify and support Ogun State to revive the rich cultural heritage of the African continent.
“As a government, we will continue to support the Drum Festival by creating more awareness for it within the country and at the international communities. More importantly, we will also ensure that it will be included in the nation’s calendar”, the Minister said.
Mohammed expressed delight that the festival has not only expose the cultural potentials of the country, but  also provided job opportunities for the people, saying the festival was in line with the programme and objectives of the Federal Government in re-positioning and diversifying the nation’s economy.
In his opening remark, Governor Ibikunle Amosun appreciated the Federal government for associating with the State and its decision to support the festival by including it in the nation’s calendar, reiterating that his administration would continue to encourage private partnership, in order to take the festival to a greater height.

On the importance of the festival, Governor Amosun said the Drum Festival was the State’s contribution to Africa’s social cultural drive, adding that drums have not only been  tools and sources of communication, but also veritable means of entertaining and educating the people.

Amosun reaffirmed that the festival would showcase the rich African culture to the world, as it would bring out the cultural skills of troupes from Nigeria and across Africa, saying, the next year’s edition would be richer in content and innovation.

Earlier in his address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi while appreciating the infrastructural development across the State, added that the festival would further promote commercial activities in the State, urging the people to protect and prevent the indigenous culture and traditions from going into extinction.

While commending the Governor for initiating the programme and being a role model,  worthy of emulation, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi  Adeyemi, urged those aspiring to take the number one position in the State to preserve the legacy of Amosun, noting that culture was an instrument that motivate and inspire people to attain  greater heights.

Contributing, the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon, appreciated the people of Ogun State for supporting the Governor, adding that culture has been an ancient institution used in uniting the people, imploring other Governors to fully participate in the cultural event.

In his goodwill message, noble Laureate and the 2018 Festival Consultant, Prof. Wole Soyinka, appreciated Governor Amosun’s efforts for building the state and developing its cultural values, urging the people to continue to respect and preserve the cultural values of the State.