NAFEST: FCTA Felicitates With Students That Emerged Winners

The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, is felicitating with the students that emerged winners in the just concluded 2024 National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST.

Hosting the winners in Abuja, Minister of state for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud
reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to continue to advance efforts that will improve education for children at all levels.

Dr Mahmoud, represented by her Special Adviser on Social Development, Mrs Helen Zamani, attributed the exceptional performances of the students in the just concluded competition to hard work, dedication, and passion for academic pursuit.

Dr Mahmoud explained that the landslide performance of the students would rub- off on their families, schools, States and also motivate their peers to also strive for excellence.

The Minister also gave out school 6bags as gifts to the children that came first as well as others that participated in the competition.

“I am very thrilled to host you in orderto recognize and reward your exceptional efforts having emerged as the best in the various events you competed for and won the first positions.

“The feat you have achieved does not only make your families, your state or your schools proud, it inspires and motivate your peers to also strive for excellence and greatness”.

“I am pleased with your sterling and exceptional performances in the just concluded competitive events at the on-going NAFEST 2024. Evidently, your ingenuities are attestation to hard work, dedication and passion and i must say that I am very proud of you. Mahmoud said.

In the cultural competition, Taraba emerged winner, followed by Benue state with Ekiti state coming third; while in the Children’s story telling competition, students from Lagos state emerged winner, Ekiti came second while Nasarawa state came third.

In the area of children arts and crafts competition, first position went to Bayelsa, Ogun second with Lagos state, third, while Ekiti State came first in essay writing competition, Lagos came second while Enugu State came third.

On his part, Mr Kayode Aiyegbusi, a retired Director, Department of Arts & Culture, in Social Development Secretariat described the event as an avenue for the students to interact with those in Authority.”

According to him: “What we have done today is to host those who have participated in NAFEST on behalf of the Minister of State. She has presented them with gifts so that they will have something to go back home with, that they were in Abuja.

“The whole idea is to involve our children in cultural identity to let them know that the future of our culture is in their hands. It is a conscious effort to let the students know that they have a role to play in the preservation of our culture, Aiyegbusi said.”

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji