If there is one thing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Dr. Aliyu Modibbo has done to the admiration of residents of the capital city, it is the renovation of the Arts and Cultural Centre. The building which doubles as the Social Development Secretariat, has since been renamed the Cyprian Ekwensi Arts and Cultural Centre.

From the exterior to the interior of the Area 10 Garki edifice, everything is sparkling like new. What we are saying is that the FCT minister has breathed life back into the arts and cultural sector of the FCT. This new lease of life is not restricted to only the Arts and Cultural Centre; workers of the council too have been invigorated. This is probably why the hitherto quiet staff found their voice and we can clearly hear their complaints over the recently concluded Aso Cultural Festival. According to sources, the execution of the three-day cultural fiesta, which took place at the Old Parade Ground, has left a sour taste in the mouth of the council staff.

One of the points raised by the bewildered staff, according to sources, is the fact that the director of administration chaired the organising committee of the cultural fiesta. The director of arts and culture, who, many say, ideally should head the organising committee, ended up being a member. Not only this, the Aso Festival which serves as preparatory ceremony for the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), we gathered, though attended by the six area councils of the FCT, was poorly attended.