* NCAC Director General, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe receiving souvenir from Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Nigerian Army for the very first time is to make strategic presence at the iconic cultural tourism festival; National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) scheduled to begin in Lagos on Monday, November 7—13,2022.
The Army’s intention to be part of NAFEST is coming barely four days to the commencement of the festival.
This year’s NAFEST which has been tagged Eko NAFEST is the 35th edition of the yearly event,
The Nigerian Army participation in this year’s edition will signal a change of policy in the strained civilian and military relationship.
The unprecedented military response to Nigerian cultural tourism narrative, came after the Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe paid a visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor in Abuja as part of creating windows for wider participation of Nigerian development ecosystem, where he requested for the presence of the military architecture to support NAFEST and use same to build a strong relationship with civilian population.
“Nigerian military is strong partner in the quest to have a peaceful, united Nigeria and it is same message which NAFEST through our rich diverse culture wish to sustain and you will agree with me, that security is a strong pillar for Cultural preservation and promotion.
We are happy the CDS, General Leo Irabor will deploy the three sister military architecture of the Army, Navy and Air Force, to showcase their social responsibility platforms and other sundry activities which civilian population can leverage on for a greater Nigerian nation” Runsewe further explained.
He added that no one should panic at full military presence and deployment during the one-week festival.
