AU, FCTA to partner on cultural festival

By John Oba Th e Federal Capital Territory (FCT) administration has expressed its readiness to partner with the Africa Union, Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) on the hosting of its forthcoming African Festival of Arts and Culture (AFESAC). Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Alhaji Muhammadu Bello, who made the promise at the weekend when the AU ECOSOCC Nigeria representative and chairperson, Social and Cultural Council, Dr. Tunji Asaolu, under whose cluster the festival is being organised, paid him a courtesy visit.

Bello expressed surprise that the Africa Union, despite its diplomatic responsibility and all it fi ght against climate change and terrorism has a soft spot that looks at our culture and all it related things that makes Africa unique as a people. “I am happy that Abuja is hosting the fi rst phase; of course you could have decided to take it to any other state. It is our duty, as managers of the city, to ensure that you are comfortable here.

So, we will partner with you. So, I will want you to meet with the recently appointed director for information and culture; he is very passionate about the issue of culture and tourism. Of course, the FCT will give you the support and the issue of your offi ce accommodation will be looked at,” he said. Earlier, Asaolu who was represented by the Head of Technical Partnership, Dr. Ekene Alofuene, said AU ECOSOCC had the mandate of taking the programmes and policies of the AU to the larger masses according to the resolution of the heads of governments. Presenting to the minister a fl agship document of AFESAC to the minister, he said this was approved last March by the leadership of the AU ECOSOCC, adding that Nigeria bidded for the hosting right

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