Culture Enthusiasts Cheer Quality Display At Abuja Cultural Market

Participants and culture enthusiasts who visited the cultural market during the just concluded National Festival for Arts and Culture, NAFEST stakeholder’s forum have praised the distinctive cultural display by theo-political zones of Nigeria.

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“This is my first time of coming around this market and the atmosphere, the environment, the structure, everything is really nice”.
Ogun state commissioner for arts and culture, Mr. Oluwasesan Fagbaye made the assertion after touring the market.

The cultural market owned by the National Council for Arts and Culture is located in the heart of Abuja with opposite Sheraton Hotel, one of the biggest hotels that houses tourists coming into the state capital.

Mr. Fagbaye who did not hide his fascination for the market said “Ogun state doesn’t have a stand that is showcasing our heritage. Although I see a lot of Adire. Adire is common in the Southwest. So I am impressed to see that there are shops stocked with Adire.

Like I said this is my first time here but immediately we get back, I will have a  discussion with the governor for us to come and have a stand here at the cultural market, so that we can also showcase what God has given to the people of Ogun state”. He said.

Also, a tourist visiting Nigeria from Egypt Ahmed Atalla, whose joy was well-pronounced said his experience in Nigeria has been astonishing.
“This is my first time in Abuja and Nigeria, and it has been interesting. In fact, it has been more than I expected and imagined. I find the people always smiling and friendly, it’s really exciting to be here, I have only been in Nigeria for two days and the experience has been amazing, Nigeria portrays the true African culture”.

Atalla promised to visit again next year as he tours around the cultural market.
“I’m here at the market because my daughter who is studying in Germany knew I was coming to Nigeria, she asked me if I could buy her something from Nigeria because Nigerian fashion and Nigerian colors are so popular in Europe and Egypt”. He said.

The Executive Director of Yobe State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs Husna Ibrahim, said the market shows that Nigeria is richly blessed with lots of cultural heritage.

“It shows that the next sector that can grow the GDP apart from oil is culture if well harnessed. So, to diversify the economy, the government must begin to look into culture by enhancing productivity in culture. You can see that everywhere in the market is stocked with cultural items from every region in Nigeria, be it North-east, North -west South-South, and so on. But I think that what is lacking here some items which are very unique to the people of Yobe, and I promise that before the next NAFEST, we are really going to stock the market with Yobe rich cultural attire, and other cultural ornaments the people Yobe are known for”