Organisers of Tamerri Festival, which will hold its third edition on Saturday, November 24 and Sunday, November 25, have the fiesta will make Abuja more culture-friendly than it has ever been, but urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to be more supportive of cultural offerings across the country beyond mere verbal endorsement. They also said it was the responsibility of government to actively promote the country’s culture and not leave foreign agencies and organs alone to support the arts.
While speaking with the media recently, the festival founders, alternative music artist, CEF, and Tamerri Creative Director and Managing Director, Michael Njoku, said the third edition scheduled to hold at Heritage Africa Village Square in Abuja is supported by U.S. Embassy, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nkata, Heritage Africa, The Play Network, and Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
“It is a shame that embassies are giving us more support than our government,” CEF declared. “It is a shame that creatives have to depend on foreign sources to fund and promote our cultural content.”
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They have further initiated talks with the Vice Presidency’s office, known for its favourable disposition to culture, noting, “We have received a personal letter from the VP’s office and we hope to get support. The administration possesses an interest in the arts that we want to tap into,” CEF further stated.
The founders reiterated the objective of festival beyond the promotion of young and upcoming artists across the country is to promoting cultural activities in Abuja city, which some see as not being culture friendly towards the transition of ‘the black man’s capital’ to a globalised city.
“Tamerri Festival embodies the celebration of our nativity and cultures,” explained CEF on the festival’s theme ‘Root’.
“It is about identifying ourselves, celebrating ourselves and sharing that part of ourselves with others.”
“It is also about showing the potential of festivals such that people will fly in from all over the world to attend festivals in Nigeria,” added Njoku.
While addressing funding sources for the N38 to N40 million festival budget, CEF assured that the festival’s long-term investment would pay off.
Source: G Entertainment
