2021 Arts, Crafts Expo showcases Nigerian Cultural Strength – NCAC DG

The National Council for Arts and Culture in Nigeria, (NCAC) says the 2021 International Arts and Crafts, (INAC) Expo, will showcase Nigeria’s cultural strength to the world.

The Director General of NCAC, Mr Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said this at the ongoing 14th edition International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The DG hinted that INAC was one of the platforms being used to engage and network arts and crafts makers in the country to the world.

He stated that, “We have to do this now, particularly at the time COVID-19 has kept us at home, Nigeria should take the lead in Africa to show that we have tried to come out of it so that life can come.

“It has affected every economy and it is not in our interest.”

He blamed the prevailing security challenges on the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said affected people’s businesses and the country’s economy, leading to crime and others.

Runsewe added that, “COVID-19 is the cause of some criminal activities like kidnapping and banditry because people are not engaged.

“This is one of the platforms we are engaging the people. We have 10 states here who have come to show the strength of their states to the world through the NCAC.

“So for me, it is a wake-up call that we are getting out of the huge COVID-19,”

According to him, INAC has made tremendous contributions to Nigeria’s growth and development as the ordinary artifact person who produces a new item now has the opportunity to showcase his talent on a broader platform, while making new creations.

“For us as an organisation, we are happy that our platform is being used to network the strength of Nigerians globally.

“Before now, people didn’t understand the meaning of culture, it is an intangible contribution to human endeavor.

“So, what I have been trying to do is to carry culture to the next level and tell Nigerians that this is our heritage.

“This is to change the perception of other people about us. We need to tell our story, and one of the platforms to tell our story is the INAC” he said.

Over thirteen states of the federation participated at the 14th International Arts and Crafts Expo held in Abuja Nigeria’s capital.

Among the participants were Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Nassarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Borno, Bayelsa, Ogun, Ondo states.

The theme for the 14th International Arts and Crafts Expo is ‘Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World.’

Hauwa Abu