Nineteen states on Wednesday shunned the 27th National Festival of Arts and Culture which opened in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The states did not participate in the opening parade of the festival where President Goodluck Jonathan asked Nigerians to leverage on culture to promote peace and national unity.

The absentee states are Lagos, Ogun, Edo, Rivers, Abia, Borno, Ondo, Kwara Kebbi, Oyo and Kano.

Others are Zamfara, Jigawa, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Enugu, Ekiti and Yobe.

Speaking through the Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, Jonathan said his administration would continue to pay special attention to culture.

He said the country was proud of the success of Nollywood, saying Nollywood had become a potent tool for national rebranding.

"We are happy to note that the success of Nollywood is giving Nigeria a positive image globally. The industry has become a potent tool for national rebranding and this is attracting the desired global attention to our country," the President said.

Speaking as the host, Dickson said Bayelsa was increasingly becoming the destination of culture and tourism in the country being the overall winner of the 26th edition of NAFEST last year.

"I make bold to say that Bayelsa, being the overall winner of NAFEST in 2012 at Ilorin, Kwara State, is enough testimony to the rich cultural heritage of our people," he said.

He said when the news of the hosting first got to the state, the first concern was how to optimise the theme of the event.

He said the idea was not only invigorating, but also served as an initiative that provided a vehicle for the youths in their quest for self-discovery and actualisation of the country's enormous economic potential.