*Ekiti hotels enjoy 100 percent occupancy

The National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), 2021 has kicked off in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital with the participation of most of the states.

Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, while welcoming contingents and visitors, said the festival marked another fulfillment of his government’s  efforts to attract global attention to Ekiti State and bring many stakeholders in the culture and tourism sector to the state, saying he had no doubt the cultural, creative and tourism fortune of the state will improve after the festival.

Speaking on the festival, the Director General of the Nigerian Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe said the theme of the festival, ‘Celebrating Nigeria’s unity in Diversity’,  was  to remind Nigerians that despite tribes, religion, cultural or political affiliations, Nigeria was destined as one nation. He said: “What we tried to do is to tell our people we need to be patient with each other. NAFEST reminds us of our unity, peaceful co-existence. Today, the story is being told. All hotels in Ekiti State are fully booked and businesses are booming. We have empowered the ordinary person on the streets. So, I am happy that this festival is making progress by uniting the people, empowering and making things better for our people.”  He also called on all participating states and their contingents to go into the cultural fiesta with the spirit of sportsmanship.

The opening ceremony saw states display colourful and rich cultures of all the participating states.