To restore the lost glory and peaceful nature of plateau state which has been known as home of peace and tourism, there is need for indigenes to embrace peace and dialogue with the government to achieve its mandate of moving the state forward.
The Minister of women Affairs Mrs Pauline Tallen made the remark while speaking at the command parade heralding the 33rd edition of the National Festival Of Arts and Culture being hosted by Plateau state government.
Amidst a colourful cultural display of dances and citations by different groups including the children, the Minister of Women Affairs Mrs Pauline Tallen expressed a nostalgic feelings about how peaceful Plateau state has been and appealed to the indigenes particularly the elders , traditional rulers and youths to live peacefully in love and harmony, jettison every form of differences to make meaningful impact as a state.
Mrs Tallen who watched the children performance on the stage also emphasized on the need to catch the children young by inculcating moral and ethinical values in them at the early stages of life.
The Director General of the National Council For Arts and Culture, Otumba Segun Runsewe who said that greater percentage of the country’s tourism potentials has not been harnessed said hosting of this years National festival for Arts and Culture, NAFEST will bring a lot of changes in Plateau state and commended the governor of the state for his courage to host NAFEST not withstanding the challenges posed by covid 19.
Otumba Runsewe noted that the only tool that could bind the country as one was the rich cultural heritage pointing out that about six states are already bidding to host next year’s NAFEST.
In a remark the Plateau state Commissioner for Tourism , Cuture, and hospitality, Mrs Tamwakat Weli said all covid 19 safety protocols has been put in place to ensure safety.
Earlier the governor of Plateau state governor Simon Lalong Who went down memory lane of how peaceful the state has been, said the people of plateau state are very accommodating and places much value on their culture.
The theme for the week long festival is Post covid 19, Cultural dynamism.
