Runsewe: Arts, Crafts Key Drivers of Nigeria’s Unity, Economic Prosperity
Charles Ajunwa
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has described arts and crafts as key drivers of Nigeria’s unity and economic prosperity.
Runsewe revealed this yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 16th International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo 2023 with the theme: ‘Networking Nigerian Arts and Crafts to the World’s held at the Continental Hotel, Abuja.
The NCAC boss, who is also the president of the World Crafts Council for the African Region, said so far, 29 countries, 16 states, and 21 non-governmental organisations are participating in this year’s Arts and Crafts Expo.
According to him, “This sector is key to uniting our country, and we must continue to put Nigeria in front together. This is a secret that most African countries have not tapped into.
“The international community is the biggest informant to the whole world. Once they see that we have activities like these, it tells them that Nigeria is good for investment.
“International Arts and Crafts (INAC) is a platform consciously designed to network Nigerian arts, crafts, and culture to the world.”
“It’s a deliberate platform to promote Nigeria’s arts and crafts. It’s a unique platform, and it’s getting bigger and better everyday.”
He added: “We have 29 countries, 16 states, and 21 non-governmental organisations already at the opening, and this is for everyone regardless of their country to network, collaborate, and make a fortune from the platform.”
Runsewe stated that over 50 Nigerians had been helped to travel out of the country, adding that countries keep inviting Nigerians for different business deals through contacts developed on the platform.
“A cultural troupe that performed last year was invited by the Indian embassy to perform in New Delhi, and similar opportunities abound,” he said.
Apart from the expo being lined up with lots of renowned artistes scheduled to thrill guests throughout the three-day event, Runsewe said free skills acquisition programmes were also ongoing, urging interested persons to take advantage of the opportunity.
In his remark, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Masudur Rahman, described Nigeria as the hub of arts, crafts and culture in Africa.
He said: “It is a big opportunity for Bangladesh to partner you since 2016 when we started our mission here. It is time to celebrate the strength of the world through the Nigerian culture.”
