Lagos State will host the 35th edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) in 2022.

The director-general of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe, announced at the closing ceremony of NAFEST 2021 late Saturday night.

“The 2022 edition of NAFEST will hold in Lagos State.

“Lagos is waiting for the world and we are going to Lagos with an advanced NAFEST. 

“We will do something bigger than what we have had in the past,” he said.

M Runsewe said that NAFEST remains a veritable tool for uniting the nation, adding that such cultural festivals would stop agitations for separation.

“We will get Nigeria united by all means. We must remove the spirit of dishonesty, hatred and fake news; all must go now.

“You can see 31 states in Ekiti. This is to tell us that nothing can divide this country; the country will remain.

“I thank Ekiti people and the government for receiving the 31 states and giving us the impression we need. It is a big statement and I remain grateful.

“There is no reason to disagree among ourselves considering the beauty of this nation, rather, we should stand together in love, peace and harmony,” he said.

Mr Runsewe noted that over 450 Ekiti indigenes had been empowered with some form of skills like wig and bead making, tailoring, cosmetology, shoe making and conversion of waste to wealth.

He added that the festival had raised the income of Ado-Ekiti residents, especially those in the hotel, transportation and other businesses.

According to him, Nigeria will be stronger and better again with such festivals.

(NAN)