Culture

NAFEST 2024: connecting cultures and boosting Nigeria’s creative economy

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2024

NAFEST 2024 unites Nigeria’s diversity, fostering unity and showcasing rich cultural heritage for global recognition and economic growth.

The 36th edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) commenced in Abuja on November 22, 2024, with a renewed focus on fostering unity and leveraging Nigeria’s cultural diversity for economic growth.

Organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, this year’s festival, themed “Connected Culture,” runs until November 30.

Also read: NAFEST 2024 To Hold In FCT

Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, represented by Dr Shaibu Husseini, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to nurturing the arts and culture sector to enhance its revenue-generating capacity.

She emphasised that Nigeria’s cultural richness and resilience present a unique opportunity for growth, urging citizens to embrace unity and collaboration.

First held in 1970 to promote national integration after the civil war, NAFEST remains a vital platform for celebrating Nigeria’s diversity.

Obi Asika, the NCAC Director-General, described this year’s edition as the most innovative yet.

He noted that the festival’s revamped approach seeks to broaden its audience base, including the Nigerian diaspora, and unlock the economic potential of the nation’s cultural assets.

“Nigeria’s culture is an asset that can be monetised and made profitable. What binds us as Nigerians is far greater than what divides us,” Asika remarked.

Asika’s extensive background in the media and entertainment industries—including founding Storm 360, a key player in Nigeria’s music scene—underscores his vision for merging cultural heritage with economic development.

The festival’s opening ceremony featured a vibrant parade of cultural dance performances by contingents from Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Adorned in traditional attire, dancers showcased unique moves that reflected their heritage, symbolising the unity in diversity that defines NAFEST.

Programmes during the nine-day event include arts and crafts exhibitions, music and dance performances, and discussions on enhancing global recognition of Nigerian culture.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Iti Orugbani, praised the federal government’s renewed focus on positioning Nigeria’s creative industry within the global value chain.

Participants like Saaniyol Akiga of Benue State’s Council for Arts and Culture expressed excitement about the festival’s new direction.

“This initiative to ensure global recognition of NAFEST is timely and necessary,” Akiga said, adding that Benue’s contingent aims to uphold their tradition of excellence.

With NAFEST 2024, the Federal Government seeks to not only celebrate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage but also harness its potential for driving economic growth.

By re-tuning its art and culture sector, the government aims to establish Nigeria as a global hub for creative and cultural excellence.

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Ofala festival: Obi of Onitsha marks 25 Years on throne

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Ofala Festival 2026 celebrated Onitsha’s royal heritage as Obi Nnaemeka Achebe marked 25 years on the throne and addressed Nigeria’s economic challenges.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.