QUESTION: WHY NASARAWA STATE IS THE CULTURE CAPITAL IN NIGERIA?
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: First and foremost, Nasarawa State as you rightly know is located at the central part or the heart of Nigeria. So, it is not by accident that being at the center of the country, Nasarawa State has continued to be a center of attraction for all cultures. Today Nasar- awa State is a melting pot of diverse cultures and ethnic nationalities, with a massive population density in Karu axis near Abuja, as well as a con- stant influx of expatriates and even Africans from countries within the continent.

QUESTION: ARE THE PEOPLE OF NASARAWA STATE PROUD OF THEIR OWN CULTURE?
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: Now, culture is an identity and if you look at what Nasarawa State is, there are more than 30 ethnic groups, both major and minor. And that is why Nasarawa State has the highest number of first-class traditional rulers in the entire nation of Nigeria. In fact, we have over 23 first class traditional rulers in Nasar- awa State. Each one is representing a distinct culture, distinct ethnic group, and the reason why it becomes so important for Nasarawa State is because people are actually fond of their cul- ture. Our people identify with their culture and traditional heritage, and with their ethnic group as well as ancestral customs and rites. And that is the reason why on the coming of this admin- istration, we realized the importance of culture, because we realized that our ethnic diversity is indeed our strength in Nasarawa State.

QUESTION: HOW HAVE YOU CHANNELED THE RICH CULTURE TO OVERALL DEVELOPMENT IN NASARAWA STATE?
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: Our people of Nasarawa State are culturally conscious and that is the reason why we as government, will continue to promote programs that will promote our culture. First and foremost, you will understand that we have a lot of cultural backgrounds, and we have a lot of cultural historical sites and arti- facts that are also important, and no wonder our cultural troupe, the Isa Kongar Cultural Troupe was six times cultural champions at NAFEST. And you know our late father and Governor, Late Aliyu Akwe Doma was the first person in the entire Northern region to study theatre arts and serve as Cultural officer in the Northern region. Because of our rich cultural heritage, I decided to also promote a cultural event in December 2019, the first ever NASARAWA CULTURAL FESTIVAL that will unite our people, for the first time in the State.

Culture is an identity and if you look at what Nasarawa State is, there are more than 30 ethnic groups, both major and minor. And that is why Nasarawa State has the high- est number of first-class tra- ditional rulers in the entire nation of Nigeria. In fact, we have over 23 first class tra- ditional rulers in Nasarawa State. Each one is represent- ing a distinct culture, distinct ethnic group, and the reason why it becomes so import- ant for Nasarawa State is because people are actually fond of their culture.

QUESTION: PLEASE TELL US MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE NASARAWA CULTURAL FESTIVAL:
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: The festival was promoted and initiated by a gentleman who is in the Army, but from Nasarawa State. Major A.Y Bello, (at that time) and so when he brought the idea to me; the state government found it suitable and in line with our Nasarawa Economic Development Strategy (NEDS), because the strat- egy is also in line with the promotion of our own culture, and that is the reason why we quickly adopted and worked together to organize the 1st and 2nd Nasarawa Cultural Festival. Its fes- tivals like these and proximity with the Federal Capital, that is now attracting so many ethnic groups coming into the State.

QUESTION: SO WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT NASARAWA STATE CAN RANK AS THE CULTURE CAPITAL OF NIGERIA?
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: Yes, I sincerely believe that Nasarawa State can take an enviable position I the culture landscape of Nigeria. You know, Nasarawa State is very peaceful, and our people are always looking for peace. Nasarawa State also has immense potentials ready to be tapped. We are the land of Solid Minerals, and indeed, we are being encrypted, you know, as the Home of Solid Minerals. So, aside from solid minerals, we have the culture, we have the land, we have area for agriculture, we have a rainbow of diverse ethnic groupings which makes Nasar- awa State a miniature Nigeria, and above these our people are happy, hospitable and welcome others, and we also have security. So, when you have all these, including our beautiful natural sites like the scenic Farin Ruwa waterfalls; we can proudly say that Nasarawa State deserves to called a cultural capital in Nigeria.

QUESTION: WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HARNESS ALL THESE ATTRIBUTES THAT MAKE NASARAWA STATE STANDOUT AS A CULTURAL CAPITAL?
ANSWER: GOV. A.A. SULE: Well, to begin with the Aliyu Akwe Banquet Hall which we construct- ed here in government house is an ambassado- rial edifice for celebration of culture. Although the building was originally initiated by our late Governor, over ten years before I became gov- ernor. I decided to complete the banquet hall and name it after Aliyu Akwe Doma because he started it and to me the banquet hall also depicts the richness of our culture. We have also con- structed the Sisin-Baki Road which leads from Mama to the very foot of Farin Ruwa Falls to promote ecotourism and the building of tourist attractions, hotels and a film village. In addition to that, you know, we have also identified other sites, you know, like the site in Ara, that is also going to be an attraction. So, any site that we see is an attraction, we are trying to see how we can promote that, and that’s why when the film industry visited us, we said we can work together with them in another PPP arrangement in order for us to have, like a film village. All those are in line with the promotion of our own culture, so that the youth in our State will have the oppor- tunity to understand their culture, and they can become the true custodians and ambassadors of their own culture, and then for the promotion of peace and unity in the State, and for the youths to be self-employed.