Kebbi, Plateau, Others Emerge Winners At Nysc Cultural Fiesta

Kebbi and Plateau State have emerged winners of drama and dance respectively in the cultural segment of the 2016/2017 NYSC Sports and Cultural Festival in Abuja.

The winners were announced at the closing ceremony of the cultural segment of the festival, which took place today in the auditorium of the National Universities Commission, Abuja.

Jigawa won second position in drama while Anambra State came third, just as Kaduna and Anambra took second and third positions respectively in dance.

In comedy, Nasarawa came first, Taraba second and Lagos third.

The first, second and third position winners in dance and drama went home with trophies and certificates, while others got certificates and other prizes.

Others recognized and presented with prizes were best male dancer, best female dancer, best artistic director, best stand up comedy among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the various presentations by Corps members were testimonies to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the country as showcased by those that represented other states outside their state of origin.

The Minister, who was represented by the Director, Human Resources in the Ministry, Mr Francis Ojiah, also commended the founding fathers of NYSC for their vision that allows Corps members use their talents to foster National unity and integration.

Mohammed promised government's commitment to partnering with the NYSC to market Corps members' talents just as he called on corporate organizations, government and private entities to support cultural festival.

Turning to the participating Corps members he said: "In every competition, there must be winners and losers, but as patriots, all Corps members are winners. I encourage you to aim higher with your God-given talents."

Earlier in his welcome address, the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Sulaiman Kazaure, urged the Corps participants to use the festival as a launch-pad for commencement of career in the entertainment industry.

Kazaure said the NYSC Scheme had over the years served as a medium for harnessing youth potentials for national development.

He stated that previous editions of the festival had exposed Corps members' talents in comedy, dance and script-writing, which had added value to Nigeria's entertainment industry.

"This has reaffirmed the strategic place of the NYSC as a vehicle for National development.

"I therefore call on the corps members to consider this as the beginning of a career in the entertainment industry," he added.

While appreciating the Panel of Judges for their fairness in the selection of winners in each category, Kazaure added that the final result has left no one in doubt.

The closing ceremony featured the re-staging of the winning dance, drama and comedy performances.