By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State Government has assured culture and art enthusiasts as well as tourists, of a parade of the state’s prized culture and tourist destinations at the forthcoming Edo Festival of Arts and Culture (EDOFEST), holding between December 17-22, in Benin City.
Speaking at the unveiling of the festival logo at Government House on Monday, the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said: “The main focus of EDOFEST is to promote our people, our wealth of history and civilisation and of course our much-revered rich cultural heritage which will be manifested through our colourful traditional festival.”
He assured that the festival will attract “a large number of visitors from diverse regions within and outside the country to partake in the weeklong event that will be filled with attractions and exciting engagements reminiscent of the arts and culture of our people.”
The deputy governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Osaze Osemwengie-Ero, said the choice of the festival theme “Arts, Culture, Our Wealth,” was informed by the fact that “Edo State is deeply rooted in history and civilisation, with global noteworthy monuments such as the arts of Benin Kingdom, the Great Walls of Benin and a host of others that need to be driven and remunerated to the greatest possible extent.”
Day one of the event will feature the opening ceremony and there will be a carnival and parade display by indigenes and other invited tribes and countries. The day will climax with a movie premiere titled ‘ESOHE’.
The festival will also feature music and cultural shows; seminars and talk shows; photo exhibitions amongst others.
Congratulating the committee of EDOFEST for a great job, the Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) Osarodion Ogie Esq., said art is an area that will surely engage the youths positively if properly repositioned.
Ogie noted that the youth would not leave the state, or country to seek greener pastures because the greener pastures are in the state.
He expressed delight and confidence in the project and urged the team to ensure there is synergy in delivering the project.
The high point of the event was the unveiling of the EDOFEST Logo by the SSG, Ogie.
