The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, at the weekend, declared open the Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture (EdoFEST), pledging to sustain efforts to reposition the State as the preferred destination for arts, culture and tourism.

Obaseki, while declaring the week-long event open at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, urged residents to be part of the event lined up for the festivities.

He said, “The Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture (Edofest) is a one-week programme. This is an annual event celebrated at this time of the year. It’s all part of the festivity in the State as several activities have been lined up for the enjoyment of all.

“There are a lot of cultural and entertainment activities, food, site visitation and a lot more activities that will keep us all busy, particularly those of us in the Diaspora that will be visiting home this Christmas.

“I formally declare open the 2023 Edo State Festival of Arts and Culture. Enjoy yourself while the festival lasts.”

In her welcome address, the Commissioner for Arts Culture and Tourism, Uyi Oduwa-Malaka said the festival is a yearly event that showcases businesses, talents, the hospitality sector, trade/investment opportunities, food and cultural appreciation for sustainable economic development.

She said the festival has assumed a rising profile of cultural rediscovery since the past seven years of Governor Godwin Obaseki “who can be tightly dubbed a patron of the arts.”

She said, “The last seven years has seen a renaissance not only in bronze casting, sculpting, woodcarving but also vibrant and inspiring leaps in the visual arts and creatives, entertainment, film production, creative innovations, paintings, and photography, among others.”