For the first time in the history of NAFEST, the Nigerian army will make strategic presence at the iconic cultural tourism festival slated for Lagos on Monday, November 7, signalling a change of policy in the strained civilian and military relationship.
The unprecedented military response to Nigerian cultural tourism narrative, came after Otunba Segun Runsewe, DG, National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), paid a visit to 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 a 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. So, we are happy the CDS, General Leo Irabor, will deploy the three sister military architecture of the Army, Navy and Airforce, to showcase their social responsibility platforms and other sundry activities which civilian population can leverage on for a greater Nigerian nation,” Runsewe further explained, adding that no one should panic at full military presence and deployment during the one week festival, dubbed Eko NAFEST.
