Runsewe Commends Media for Promoting Arts, Culture

Director General of National Council for Culture and Arts (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, has commended the media for their tireless contribution to the promotion of culture, arts and tourism in Nigeria, saying the successes he achieved over the years were made possible by the Nigerian media.

Runsewe, who made the commendation during an interactive session with journalists at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, said the purpose of the meeting was to exchange views, opinions, knowledge and experiences on how this very important sector can be strengthened as a vehicle for creating wealth and driving sustainable economic development of Nigeria.

The NCAC boss who was accompanied by the Director, Performing Arts, NCAC, Mr. Sam Agbi and Director, Special Duties; NCAC, Dr. Gerald Adewole, said media and other stakeholders in the arts and culture sector in Nigeria should as a matter of collective responsibility ensure that the sector takes its pride of place in the Nigerian economy, warning that the near total dependence on crude oil exportation as the source of our foreign exchange earnings had greatly slowed down the pace of development in other sub-sectors of the economy such as agro-allied industry, manufacturing, solid minerals, and the service industry, among others.

“I urge us to work together to synergise, to always share ideas and experiences on the best practices in the sector. Countries like China, India, Dubai, Brazil and South Africa that are reaping from the huge benefits in the arts, culture and tourism sector today started like us. They did not have better resources than us. It is the vision, the passion and the commitment that makes the difference. It is not too late to start now,” he said

“The progressive fall in the prices of petroleum products and its attendant shock on the economy of Nigeria has made it highly imperative for Nigeria to pursue a sustained process of economic diversification, if we must attain the much needed economic stability and development. It is now clear to all that Nigeria can no longer continue to depend solely on crude oil exportation. This meeting is highly desirable as a platform for engendering national discourse on the options available to Nigeria as we seek to attain national development.

“Permit me to point out that I had alerted Nigeria a long time ago on the dangers of our over-dependence on oil. While serving as the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation between 2006 and 2013, my policy thrust was encapsulated in the slogan ‘oil is good, but tourism is better because oil is exhaustible while tourism is sustainable and environment friendly’. At the leadership conference held at the International Conference Centre on April 28th, 2009, I had the privilege of speaking on the topic ‘Beyond Oil: Diversification Options’. In that paper, I drew attention to the need for Nigeria to begin to look outside oil in her quest for development. I also shared these thoughts at the ECOWAS Congress on Sports Development in West Africa, held in Abuja on August 10th to 11th, 2011,” he explained..

Runsewe, who said there could be no sustainable tourism without a strong cultural content, maintained that tourism activities are culture-based.

According to him, tourism-rich economies like the United Kingdom, Israel, China and France revealed a common and consistent pattern of culture-based tourism with culture being the single biggest motivation for tourism.

“In Europe, the role of culture in development shows that the arts enrich the social environment with stimulating or pleasing public amenities. In the same vein, China and Australia have underscored the fact that the culture and tourism sector contributes to economic development by facilitating creativity, innovation and self-reflection and as such recognises culture as a key component of society’s well-being. In fact, cultural industries have become for China, the base station from which it develops and updates its technological advancement and well-being.

“Nigeria is known to be one of the most culturally diverse nations of the world. It has over 250 distinct ethnic groups, each with unique culture and cultural products. The rich and diverse cultural assets of Nigeria have the capacity of sustaining a robust tourism industry and driving the process of socio-economic development if adequately explored,” adding that some aspects of Nigerian culture could serve as key drivers of sustainable tourism and the economic development of Nigeria if fully harnessed.

He listed the key drivers of sustainable tourism and the economic development cultural festivals, Nigerian music and songs, Nigeria film industry, Nigerian arts and crafts products and Nigerian indigenous cuisines.

“Nigeria has rich and fascinating cultural festivals. Many of these festivals are already in the world cultural map and are attracting the patronage of international audience. Some of the prominent festivals in Nigeria include Osun-Osogbo Festival in Osun State, Eyo Festival in Lagos State, Argungu and Nwonyo Fishing Festivals in Kebbi and Taraba States respectively, Pus Kat and Bit Geomai Festivals in Plateau State, New Yam Festivals in various parts of South Eastern Nigeria, the Durbar in the Northern part of Nigeria, Boat Regatta in South-South and the National Festivals of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) the annual Cultural festival of the National Council for Arts and Culture.

It is important to note that festivals events serve as a catalyst that attracts recreation seekers to destinations with great Tourism potential. This means that visitors are likely to spend more days in a given destination when attracted to the cultural festivals in that destination. This long stay helps to improve the revenue base of the people thereby also impacting on the local economy.

“For a nation as large as Nigeria with rich and diverse culture, one festival per state would go a long way in attracting tourists into the country thereby contributing to the development of the economy through spending in hotel lodging, patronage of local cuisines, transportation, purchase of arts and crafts products among others. Accordingly, the National Council for Arts and Culture is developing a festival calendar to enable tourist know when to take holidays in Nigeria and savour the rich cultural manifestations it has to offer,” Runsewe noted.