In a bid to display its cultural heritage and promote cross-cultural dialogue on a global scale, the Lagos State government, in conjunction with Culturella Africa, has perfected plans to hold the 2024 edition of the Culturella Festival in the state.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, disclosed this at a press conference in Lagos.

According to Aregbe, the Lagos State government is collaborating with the private sector players to boost youth engagement and empowerment by investing in the creative sector, vocational skills and training for youths in the state.

Represented at the event by Olufunke Adu, Aregbe urged Nigerians, especially youths, to portray the image of the country positively on social media and avoid derogatory painting of Africa as poor and dirty.

He also disclosed that this year’s Culturella Festival will bring together Africans from across the globe and lovers of the continent, to explore and celebrate the diverse traditions, cultural expression and artisanal craftsmanship across Africa.

According to the Special Adviser: “Lagos has been doing its best under Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu to empower youths and that is why there are vocational schools of entertainment to engage them and bring about the desired change, while youths must also speak positively about their country, Nigeria, to the international community.”

Chief Executive Officer of Culturati Africa, Dolamu Badejo, while speaking at the event, noted that this year’s Culturella Festival mission is to leverage culture and arts as pivotal tools for enhancing international relations, fostering youth development, promoting social cohesion and unifying the continent to drive economic growth.

Badejo also urged Nigerians, particularly youths, to always project Nigeria and Africa at large positively through culture, arts and tourism to the world.

She noted that Culturati Africa’s annual arts and culture event would be known as “Culturella Festival”, adding that the 2024 edition would be redirected to function as a research centre, meant to tell African stories in a positive way.

While harping on the need to intensify efforts in telling African stories, Badejo

urged the media, government agencies, research institutions and all stakeholders to engage in relaying positive narratives of Africa, to spur tourism growth.

She said: “I am elated to respond to the announcement made earlier today regarding my appointment as the new CEO of Culturati Africa. We want to see how our stories can be relayed right from our future to the past to change Africa’s image.

“I am counting on the shoulders of giants and pillars across industry sectors, our very loyal stakeholders, new investors and the support of the culture, arts stakeholders communities to collectively join in the vision of re-imagining the Africa of our dreams.

“We should ensure a return to cultural awareness and sound values and to re-build the fractured pieces and stories of our continent from a healed and renewed narrative. We can together fill our cracks with gold.”

Also, John Fadejola, Head of Brands Tantacom Experiential Projects Ltd., a communications partner with Culturati Africa, said the 18th edition of the annual Culturella Arts and Culture Festival would hold from December 6 to 8.

Unveiling the pre-event activities ahead of the festival, Fadejola said there would be a fashion soiree to showcase the beauty of African fabrics.

He added that individuals who have contributed to the growth of the continent would be honoured at the Culturati African personalities in October.