The Metropolitan Square, Asa-Dam road, venue of the 2012 edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST, is expected to be a beehive of activities as the 36 states of the nation and Abuja converge on Ilorin, the Kwara state capital for the festival which takes off this Saturday.

At a press briefing held in Abuja on Monday announcing the commencement of the one week festival themed: "Culture, Peace and Economic Empowerment", Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke said the festival is dedicated to the promotion of peace and national unity in addition to growing the culture of economic empowerment.

The minister, who gave full assurances of the preparedness of government and the people of Kwara State towards a successful hosting of the festival, revealed the line up of events on offer which will include; dance drama, traditional moonlight games, traditional wrestling arts and crafts exhibition, among others.

While commending the Kwara state governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed and members of his executive council for their commitment to hosting the forum of national unity, Chief Duke also called on the media to help in resounding the thrust of NAFEST celebrations to all corners of Nigeria, which is that "the panacea for our various challenges of security, poverty and youth restiveness can be found in our culture".