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The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, says Nigeria’s cultural festivals remain vital tools for preserving heritage, strengthening unity and growing the creative economy.
Musawa stated this on Saturday at the 2025 National Oyarore Salt Festival in Keana, Nasarawa State.
Represented by Mrs Ogechukwu Udegbunam, an official of the ministry, the minister described the Oyarore Festival as a powerful symbol of identity, resilience and community pride.
“Today, we are not just celebrating a cultural event; we are celebrating heritage, identity, unity and community pride,” she said.
According to her, the festival reflects the collective commitment of the people to preserving traditions that bind communities together as one.
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Musawa said festivals such as Oyarore play a significant role in reinforcing cultural identity while creating economic opportunities for local artists, performers, entrepreneurs and young talents.
She noted that the Federal Government recognises culture and tourism as key drivers of national development and was committed to supporting festivals that promote heritage, peace, and socio-economic growth.
“The Oyarore Festival stands out as an event with the potential to grow into a major cultural attraction that can contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large,” she said.
The minister assured stakeholders that the ministry would continue to collaborate with state governments, traditional institutions, and cultural advocates to ensure improved visibility, support, and inclusive participation, particularly for women and youth.
Also speaking, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the Oyarore Salt Festival as an international event that should be handled with a global outlook and standards.
Sule commended the people of Keana for sustaining the centuries-old tradition and noted that salt occupies a symbolic place in the identity of Nasarawa State, as reflected in the state’s official logo.
“The salt in our state logo is a source of pride. It reflects the historical and cultural importance of Keana to Nasarawa State,” he said.
The governor urged the community and organisers to ensure the sustainability and expansion of the festival, stressing that people who neglect their culture risk losing their identity.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Miskoom Martin Shaldas III, the LongGamai of Gamai Nation in Plateau State, congratulated the people of Keana on the preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
He described the festival as an effective means of preserving history and culture and called for its sustenance for future generations.
Also, the host traditional ruler, Dr Abdullahi Agbo III, the Osana of Keana, said the festival dates back over 250 years and was handed down by their forefathers as part of the community’s heritage.
He assured that the tradition would be preserved to enable future generations to understand the history and cultural values of Keana.
Earlier, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr Mike Omeri, a former Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the 2025 celebration marked the 250th anniversary of the Oyarore Salt Festival, which began in 1775.
Omeri explained that salt discovery was central to the historical foundation of Keana and that the festival traditionally marked the end of harvest and the beginning of a new season.
He said the natural salt from Keana is unique because it is naturally iodised, adding that the festival had now been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a franchise.
According to him, the Federal Government has designated the festival as a national event and the site as a national monument to be preserved for tourism and national branding.
Omeri appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to invest in restoring the salt site and modernising salt production facilities to maximise economic benefits for the host community.
He added that the festival would, going forward, introduce annual community development initiatives such as scholarships and infrastructure support.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the festival, which began on Dec. 10, featured cultural displays, wrestling, traditional performances and exhibitions celebrating the historic salt heritage of Keana and the Alago nation.
Culled from Vanguard Nigeria
