As the elections in 2023 draw near, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged voters to choose candidates who can bring Nigerians together, particularly in the area of multi-cultural heritage and language.
The words of wisdom came from Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday during the 35th National Festival of Arts and Culture, also known as “Eko NAFEST 2022,” which had the theme “Culture and peaceful coexistence.”
According to a statement provided on Wednesday by Sanwo-chief Olu’s press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the state literally turned into the focal point for the display of regional customs, arts, and traditions in what appeared to be the largest cultural carnival in the country on Wednesday.
“A variety of tastefully attired troupes from the 29 states of the federation held the audience’s interest with flamboyantly staged pageantry, showcasing the country’s rich cultural legacy in full view of local and foreign audience.
According to the announcement, the festival’s opening ceremony was attended by “top government officials, international envoys, traditional rulers, cultural ambassadors, non-governmental organizations, and schoolchildren.”
The festival was officially launched by Governor Sanwo-Olu, who urged the attendees and participants to demonstrate the “real essence of Lagos,” which he defined as the state’s “accommodating character” toward tourists.
According to Sanwo-Olu, Lagos Government agreed to host the event as a sign of its support for advancing culture and fostering community.
The Lagos State Government, which hosted the first edition of NAFEST in 1970, declared that it was happy to host the event for a fourth time. The festival’s core goals are in accordance with those of our administration, which are to promote entertainment and tourism as a major component of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda. We make it a habit to support, partner with, and collaborate in activities that will further develop our cultural legacy and promote our unity in diversity since we are deliberately promoting every facet of tourism, the arts, and culture.
Delegates from the states in the federation will be demonstrating and celebrating the diversity of our nation’s cultures throughout the next seven days. Lagos will continue to represent our nation internationally in terms of innovation, music, films, and culture as the center of entertainment and the primary commercial nerve center of Africa. As a State, we are dedicated to fostering local talent and assisting individuals in taking their innovative ideas abroad to trade for values.
Sanwo-Olu emphasized once more the necessity of using the cultural platform to foster harmony and promote peace. He advised the cultural groups to steer clear of topics that sow discord and tension.
The Governor asked the attendees to take advantage of the chance as the general elections in 2023 approach to support candidates who would harness the country’s multi-cultural heritage and language to unite the nation and revive the feeling of community among all residents.
Sanwo-Olu advised participants to view diversity as a resource to be cultivated for group benefit rather than allowing variations in language and culture to divide them.
We are in the campaign season because our country’s general elections are set to take place in the first quarter of 2019. It is crucial to reiterate the NAFEST platform’s message of peace and unity as political office bearers continue to interact with the people at this time.
While we honor Nigeria’s history and cultural diversity here today, I want to make it very clear that we should use this occasion to elect leaders who will acknowledge and capitalize on our rich, diverse heritage and language to bring us together as a people and as a country, as our founding fathers intended.
Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, advocated using the festival as an opportunity to explore the tourist attractions in various sections of Lagos, particularly the canal transit system the State Government is developing.
She urged the delegates to engage in conversation and activities that would ensure peace during the event, stating that peaceful coexistence continues to be the driving force behind national growth.
Sanwo-Olu and the members of the local organizing committee were thanked by the NCAC Director General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, for setting up the facilities and logistical plans required to organize the event.
He declared, “The purpose of EKO-NAFEST 2022 is to reflect and resound the significance of peace throughout our country. In the interest of progress and prosperity, the event also emphasizes the need to awaken our collective conscience to fully appreciate our variety.
