From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The people of Southern Kaduna of Kaduna State have vowed to continue to sustain the tempo of reviving their cultural heritage, especially for the benefit of the younger generations.
To this end, the people have concluded plans to organise second edition of cultural heritage revitalisation tagged’ “Southern Kaduna Festival (SKFEST 2024).
According to a statement by the Chairman, Central Planning Committee (CPC), Rear Admiral (rtd),Ferguson Bobai, “SKFEST was conceived in 2023 to revitalize the cultural heritage of the Southern Kaduna people and celebrate their unity in diversity while showcasing the people’s rich cultural heritage. It was also designed to foster cross – cultural and inter -generational engagement between the old and the younger generations of Southern Kaduna indigenes.
“The 2024 edition aims at celebrating, preserving, and enhancing the rich cultural heritage of Southern Kaduna, and to ignite progress through various cultural entertainment, and developmental activities. The theme for the 2024 edition was chosen following the successes recorded at the maiden edition in 2023, with a huge number of participants across Nigeria and beyond.
“Therefore, SKFEST 2024 is committed to creating an impressive and engaging experience for both local participants and visitors from across the Globe.
The festival, hopefully, will spur the need to search for economic prosperity, social integration, and development, as well as showcase and celebrate the rich and unique cultures of the diverse people of Southern Kaduna.
“The activities lined up for the three-day include an opening ceremony, exhibition of traditional arts, cuisine fair, beauty pageant and fashion show, live music concerts, colloquium, sports such as football tournament, marathon race, traditional wrestling, and boxing (Danbe). The curtain will be drawn with a colorful closing ceremony where awards will be given to deserving sons, daughters, and friends of Southern Kaduna.
“On this note, the Central Planning Committee, our partners, and other stakeholders will count on your usual support for the success of the activities we have lined up for the 2024 edition. We assure you that it will be among the best cultural festivals organised in the north of the Niger.
“The theme of this year festival is “Preserving Heritage, Igniting Progress”, and is scheduled to take place from Dec. 19 – 21 in Kafanchan, the economic capital of Southern Kaduna”. The statement said.