The Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has commended the Executive Governor of Rivers State Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike for the highly visible infrastructural development of the state.
Runsewe who made this commendation while presenting the hosting certificate for the 2018 National Festival of Arts And Culture (NAFEST) to the Governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt, described Wike as an outstanding governor committed to the maintenance of peace and infrastructural transformation of Rivers State.
“Indeed, you are not only “Mr. Perfects” as observed by our Vice President, you are also “Mr. Culture” in view of your great interest in the preservation and promotion of Nigerian culture” Runsewe stated.
He commended the Governor for accepting to host 2018 NAFEST which he said was another testimony to Wike’s determination towards making Rivers State the centre of socio cultural events in Nigeria.
Runsewe noted that in the recent pasts Governor Wike had hosted several big national and international events such as Nigerian Guild of Editor’s meeting, African Wresting Championship Competition, AMA Award, Nigeria Bar Association Conference, among others, adding that this feat is a confirmation of the high level of security and infrastructural facilities in the state.
“We have been moving freely in Port Harcourt since our arrival two days ago and all we see is a peaceful environment with very loving people, contrary to what we hear in the Press” Runsewe remarked.
In his response, Governor Wike thanked the NCAC boss for giving Rivers State the hosting right for NAFEST 2018, promising that the State Government under his leadership will do everything possible to ensure that 2018 edition of the festival is best ever organized.
The Governor granted Runsewe’s special request that Mrs. Wike be permitted to receive the Nigerian Children contingent that world be participating in the festival.
Governor wike also used the occasion to appreciate the Rivers State contingents to the 2017 edition of NAFEST held in Kaduna for good conduct and spectacular outing.
He gave a cash prize of ten million Naira (N10m) to the Cultural Contingent as a token of appreciation and another N10m to Miss Hart Sopringe Akie, an Senior Secondary School Student.
The high point of the event was the presentation of the hosting right and insignia to the Executive Governor by the DG of NCAC.
It will be recalled that the National Festival of Arts and Culture also known as the festival that unites the nation is held on a state to state rotation annually.
Rivers State won the right to host the next edition of the festival which comes up later in the year.
