By Dennis Mernyi
Cultural festivals in Benue State are set for better days following Governor Samuel Ortom’s directive that they should be profiled for enhanced support.
The Governor, at this year’s Kyegh Sha Shwa cultural festival held at Tar-Ukpe, in Gboko local government area of the state, stated that he had also directed the Council for Arts and Culture to assist organizers to spread the festivals throughout the year.
He spoke through his representative, Mr Tahav Agerzua, Principal Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism.
Governor Ortom specifically directed that Kyegh Sha Shwa be included in the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism’s annual events calendar.
He expressed delight that the festival started in Guma local government area during his tenure as Governor and commended Reverend Father Solomon Ukeyima and the organizers for their initiative and resilience.
He listed UNESCO’s inscription of Kwag’hir as a world cultural heritage and the improved performance of the State’s Arts Council at the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, as a demonstration of some of his administration’s efforts in the culture sector.
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The Governor stated that the creative industry remained a veritable platform for youth engagement, empowerment and wealth creation adding that he would sustain his administration’s intervention.
He noted that political leaders across party lines have played great roles in fostering cultural values including peace and unity such that they should be commended and encouraged.
