Oyo State contingents came first in the cultural quiz competition at the on-going 32nd National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) holding at the Sport Complex of University of Benin, Edo State.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun dropped this hint in Ibadan today.
According to the Commissioner, twelve states participated in the cultural quiz competitions, adding that Oluwagbotemi Olawale of Orita Mefa Baptist Model College, Ibadan and Mercy Abidoye of God’s Blessing Comprehensive College, Ibadan represented Oyo State in the competition.
Dr Olatubosun disclosed further that “Oyo State emerged at the first position in the keenly contested Cultural Competitions while Lagos took second position and Delta and Enugu made third and fourth positions respectively”
The Commissioner remarked the significance of culture in national development stressing that the festival has provided opportunity for the States of the Federation to bond. He said furthermore that culture is a mould for uniting people.
Dr Olatunbosun commented that this Year’s Theme which is “Our Royalty, our Pride” is apt considering the fact that the festival has continued to serve as a veritable platform for fostering national unity, social integration, friendship, love, mutual understanding and cooperation as well as cultural exchanges among Nigerians from different ethnics and religious backgrounds
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The Commissioner, however, reiterated the commitments of the Oyo State Government under the able leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde to partner with investors for development of cultural tourism potentials in the State which will include the upgrading and renovation of tourist sites and historical monuments.
It will be recalled that Oyo State took part last in NAFEST competitions in 2012.