ONDOFEST 2018: To unite Nigerians like FESTAC 77

Arrangements are reaching conclusive stages for the hosting of Ondo State Arts and Cultural Festival, ONDOFEST 2018.

The convener, Mr. Seyi Oshodi, said the event would unite the nation and provide more global opportunities for the state.

Oshodi, in a statement made available to the media, said the event, which comes up in December, would surpass the Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77) held four decades ago.

Oshodi, who is the Chief Executive of Oshodi Arts, which is partnering with the state government on hosting the festival across the 18 council areas of the state, said ONDOFEST 2018 was designed to rejuvenate the dwindling interest in arts and culture among Nigerians, particularly after the FESTAC 77.

“After FESTAC in 1977, we haven’t really experienced a broad-brush cultural event that rolls out an all encompassing arts form in Nigeria, arguably, various attempts are made in isolation to either showcase a particular area of culture.

“ONDOFEST 2018 is designed to address various questions concerning our cultural policy, the vitality of Nigerian arts and downrightly demonstrate the powers of unity for nation building.”

He explained that arts and culture is one of the ways of bringing about togetherness in the society and maintained that the maiden edition of the ONDOFEST will tremendously project the uniqueness of diverse and mixed cultural heritage of the state to the outside world.

“This maiden edition is entirely built around the unifying factors and oneness which is very peculiar in Ondo and as a model to drive peace and unity in Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria.

The initiator stressed that the Ondo Arts and Cultural Festival would unite the array of activities to narrate the fascinating history and the rich cultural heritage of the highly informed riverine people.

“Their fine arts, sculpture, fashion, theatre arts: dance, music and drama, exhibition, cinema etc. No doubt, the root of the majority of Ondo peoples is linked to the ancestral-origin from Oduduwa and by that authority, various cultural performances and arts presentations will be done by different (Yoruba) states from the West of Nigeria.

“Many other states from other regions of the country will be represented in this this amazing experience. So much is weaved and set to thrill the African continent and world,” he said.