Benue organizes ‘Swange’ festival

As part of efforts to reposition the culture and tourism sectors in Benue State, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism has concluded arrangements to stage Swange Music and Dance Festival.

The event has been organized in collaboration with the National Troupe of Nigeria and Makurdi Area Traditional Council.

Principal Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Culture and Tourism, Mr Tahav Agerzua, in an interactive session with journalists in his office explained that the festival was being organized to explore the potential of the non-oil sector in promoting entertainment.

He stated that some of the objectives of the festival included developing brands that could attract foreign and local investors and generate the much needed foreign earnings for indigenous artistes and Nigeria.

Mr Agerzua said the collaboration with the National Troupe of Nigeria was informed by its capacity and experience, which could be deployed to package the State’s local Swange Music and Dance in accordance with best professional standards for marketing.

Governor Ortom’s aide stressed that the involvement of Makurdi Traditional Area Council was to ensure grassroots participation in the festival.

He noted that Swange Music and Dance of the Tiv people of Central Nigeria has been of high demand as an accepted product that has foisted Nigeria’s flag at the international scene even before the country’s independence in 1960.

The Principal Special Assistant stated the Festival which has been scheduled to hold from 23rd-28th December, 2019 will feature at least 20 Swange groups for the competition to select the best.

He said participants who are expected to make presentations spanning traditional, secular, and Christian Gospel genres will get handsome take home prizes.

The six-day festival has been scheduled to hold at the Aminu Isah Kontagora Arts Theatre Complex in Makurdi.