Abuja – The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture on Monday said that it would create 13 new festivals and revive those that had been moribund.
Mr Seyi Womiloju, the Director of Culture, Cultural Industries and Heritage at the ministry, told newsmen in Abuja.
“The ministry intends to create 13 festivals this year; which will also help create employment for many Nigerians.
“It will also revive all the cultural festivals that have been moribund in the country and upgrade others to international standards,’’ he said.
The director also said that the ministry would hold a meeting with the organisers of all cultural festivals across the country to see how the ministry could assist them.
“The assistance will establish a well-organised cultural calendar that will capture the various festivals and we will do that before the end of the first quarter this year.
“We will also upgrade some festivals, give them international recognition, so that tourists can visit where they are coming up ; this will also boost the economy of the country,’’ he said.
Womiloju said that some cultural festivals could not hold in 2015 because of paucity of funds and the general elections.
He said that festivals like the Argugun fishing festival in Kebbi state, Nwonyo fishing festivals in Taraba state and many others across the country would be upgrade to attract international patronage.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed
