NAFEST 2017: Gov. Dickson applauds victorious Bayelsa Troupe

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Gov. Seriake Dickson has applauded Bayelsa Cultural Troupe for emerging the overall winner of the 2017 edition of the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).

NAFEST 2017 was held in Kaduna, Kaduna State, between Oct. 28 and Nov. 4.

Dickson, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Francis Agbo, on Tuesday, noted that the Bayelsa Troupe had won the competition for the third time under Dickson’s administration.

Dickson, who received the victorious members of the state troupe at Government House, said the government and people of the state were proud of their achievements.

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The governor described the troupe as “worthy Champions of Culture”.

According to him, the achievement is a demonstration that Bayelsa is a state to be reckoned with in a number of areas.

He gave an assurance that the government would continue to support the council to win more laurels for the state.

“That is the spirit of the new Bayelsa; the spirit of excellence and the spirit of being number one in everything we are doing in this state.

“We are number one in security, education, healthcare, infrastructural investment and in culture and tourism.

“Clearly, you are undoubted Champions of Culture.

On behalf of the government and people of this state, I will like to congratulate you for your victory. You have made a statement that all states in this country will not forget in a hurry.

“You have said that, what happened last year was not a mistake and that you deserved this trophy last year.

“You have confirmed that you are number one cultural troupe in this country; because you people have done this to show to the rest of the country and the world that when it comes to the area of culture and tourism, Bayelsa is number one.” he said.

The governor promised that the government would formally host the trope at a later date in appreciation of its remarkable performance in bringing back the Cultural Gong.

Presenting the Gong to Dickson, the Director of the State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Payeboye Festus-Lukoh, expressed gratitude to the state government for its support and encouragement given to the Council to participate in this year’s NAFEST.

Ascribing the council’s victory to God, Mrs. Festus-Lukoh, also thanked the state government for the timely approval of funds.

She gave an assurance that the Council would put in its best performance to bring the cultural Gong back home next year. (NAN)

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