Dewdrop Institute Trains NCAC Volunteers Ahead of NAFEST 2025 in Enugu

In preparation for the highly anticipated National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) coming up in Enugu, Dewdrop Institute on Thursday, November 20, 2025, hosted a five-hour intensive training for staff and volunteers of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). The session focused on preparing selected ushers and protocol personnel to deliver world-class hospitality and guest-experience support throughout the festival.

The training, designed to strengthen professionalism and sharpen essential soft skills, covered communication, grooming, cultural awareness, workplace ethics, hosting etiquette, and effective guest management. It aimed to ensure that every volunteer is well-equipped to represent both NCAC and the state with excellence during the national event.

Mr. Maxwell Odimkpa declared the event open with a welcome remark and a brief on health and safety guidelines before participants were taken through a series of structured learning activities. The methodology blended facilitated instruction with live demonstrations and hands-on practical exercises that allowed volunteers to practise real-life ushering, hosting, and guest-handling scenarios.

The Executive Director of Dewdrop Institute, in her closing remarks, reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to grooming culturally aware and professionally prepared personnel for tourism and creative industry events. She highlighted the core areas covered during the training and encouraged participants to apply the skills acquired as NAFEST approaches.

High Engagement and Positive Feedback

Attendance was impressive, and the energy in the room reflected a strong desire to learn. Participants were especially enthusiastic during the practical sessions, where they engaged deeply with the modules on etiquette, communication, and managing guest expectations.

Feedback from volunteers further underscored the value of the session:

• “It was an engaging session. I never knew that ushering is this professional.”
• “I now know how to manage events…”
• “I loved the facilitators; they did marvellously well in how they delivered and involved us.”
• “I really appreciate this opportunity.”

These responses show that the training significantly broadened their understanding of what is expected of a professional usher and strengthened their readiness for the festival.

Key Observations and Next Steps

Dewdrop Institute noted that many volunteers were new to professional ushering, making the training not only timely but essential. The practical demonstrations and scenario-based activities also played a key role in boosting their confidence for real event situations.

To sustain this momentum, the institute recommended:
• A refresher orientation a day before NAFEST for final reinforcement.
• The development of a concise 1–2 page guide summarizing hosting conduct, grooming standards, communication tips, and guest-handling procedures.

A Successful Step Toward a World-Class NAFEST

The training achieved its core objective—preparing NCAC volunteers to deliver outstanding service during NAFEST 2025. Participants demonstrated clearer communication, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of their role in representing Enugu State, NCAC, and Dewdrop Institute on a national stage.

Dewdrop Institute remains committed to supporting cultural and tourism events with quality training that promotes excellence, professionalism, and unforgettable guest experiences.