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Next Press Release

Tuesday, 24th March, 2009

NIGER STATE TO HOST NAFEST, FACE OF NOLLYWOOD

The Chief Servant and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu has endorsed the hosting of the Face of Nollywood and the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST) this year.

 Speaking when he received a delegation of Nollywood Actors and Directors led by Mr. Chike O’brian, Governor Aliyu also announced that the State is due to host the Conference of Nigerian Guild of Actors next month. He said these events are geared towards making the State the hub of entertainment activities within the shortest possible time.

Governor Aliyu said entertainment should be an integral part of human life because it takes away frustrations and inspires one to do better. He expressed the hope that Nollywood will continue to grow so that people who hitherto looked at the industry with negative perception will have a rethink.

Earlier, the leader of the Nollywood delegation, Mr. Chike O’brian said they were in the Government House to identify with Governor Aliyu’s efforts at making the State a tourist haven and an investor’s paradise, and to also solicit his assistance in hosting this year’s Face of Nollywood event.

Mr. Brian acknowledged the giant strides already attained by the Chief Servant in developing the State, and described the Servant Leadership attitude of Dr. Aliyu as an approach that can completely transform this country if imbibed by other leaders.

He expressed happiness with the achievements recorded by Gwape International Cultural Troupe during the recently concluded International Fishing and Cultural Festival in Argungu and promised to co-opt a member of the Gwape Troupe for each of the films he intends to shoot this year.

Governor Aliyu expressed gratitude to the troupe for doing the State proud by coming first in the dance/drama event at the Argungu festival. He urged them to keep up the good work.. The Governor, who was physically present during the troupe’s performance at Argungu, donated the sum of N2 million to the troupe.

A trophy, a certificate and N100,000 were won by Gwape International Troupe at the festival. With this victory, the troupe has won the trophy for four consecutive times.

The Chief Servant also received a donation of learning materials from the State branch of the National Association of Niger State Students (NANISS) and commended the Association for being socially responsible.

Dr. Aliyu acknowledged NANISS’ contribution to the improvement of education in the State, adding that it is not the amount of contribution that matters but the spirit and intention behind it. He said the State Government decided to make education its priority because “it is the only legacy that can be bequeathed to our children which nobody can take away from them”.

He emphasized that the girl-child is being given some degree of preference not because the boy-child is not recognised but because of the historical disadvantages that the females have suffered over the years.

Earlier, the President of NANIS, explained that the donation of learning materials was in support of the Chief Servant’s policy on free and compulsory basic education in the State.
 

Bala Ibrahim Abdulkadir,

Director General