Charles Ajunwa writes that apart from the diplomatic community, state governments and non-governmental organisations that participated in this year’s International Arts and Crafts Expo, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, used the three-day event to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage
The 16th International Arts and Crafts (INAC) 2023 Expo with the theme: ‘Networking Nigerian Crafts to The World’ organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) lived up to expectations as over 30 countries, 16 states and 21 non-governmental organisations participated in the three-day event held at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel.
INAC Expo was initiated in 2008 as an annual event of the Council with the aim of showcasing Nigeria’s rich and unique collection of African arts and crafts and an avenue to promote the country’s rural economy. It focuses on the Director General’s six-point agenda namely: To make culture Nigeria’s new oil; to develop the creative industries to serve as a resource for job creation and economic empowerment; to empower Nigerians through free skills acquisition; to promote corporate social responsibility through free medical services at Council’s major events; to use culture as a panacea for promoting peace, social integration and national unity through National Festival (NAFEST), sports and all cultural activities; and to promote international cultural diplomacy through appropriate liaison and synergy with members of the diplomatic community in Nigeria.
Runsewe’s Welcome Address
NCAC boss, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe who was dressed in a native attire, received thunderous applause from the excited audience as he mounted the podium to give his welcome address for the 16th INAC Expo.
Runsewe, whose address was titled ‘Economic Impact of INAC Expo’ described arts and crafts as key drivers of Nigeria’s unity and economic prosperity.
The NCAC boss, who is also President of the World Crafts Council for the African Region, said “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.
“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: “Despite the economic importance of the Expo, it is important to keep an eye on the cultural exchange which fosters unity, social cohesion and promotes diversity and mutual understanding amongst states, countries, participants and visitors alike.
“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.”
According to him, 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.
In his remark, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Masudur Rahman, described Nigeria as the hub of arts, crafts and culture in Africa.
“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 Nigerian culture,” he said.
Runsewe, who declared open the Investment Forum with the theme: ‘Culture, Economic Development and National security’ on the second day, described it as the intellectual component of INAC Expo.
As part of its empowerment agenda, Runsewe announced that the NCAC had concluded plans to send 3,000 youths to China for training on skills acquisition.
“The 16th edition of the International Arts and Crafts expo is a wonderful platform of energising and opening Nigeria’s arts and crafts to whole world. The Investment Forum, is the intellectual component of the INAC Expo. The whole idea of our interacting here, is to take something back home and put them to use.”
He added: “We are also sending 3,000 youths from Nigeria to China for training on skills acquisition. Each state will be sending 100 youths.”
To boost the morale of youths who came out tops in the three-day skills acquisition training put together by NCAC, Runsewe presented start ups to the deserving winners.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Uche Uwaleke, started by commending the Runsewe for initiating the idea to take 3,000 Nigerian youths to China for skills acquisition.
Prof. Uwaleke, who is a lecturer at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, described culture as a healthy vehicle of national development when put into good use.
Uwaleke, said the way forward for the sector is to among others, involve local communities when developing cultural products, adding, “This will help to ensure that the products are relevant and meaningful to the people who create and consume them.”
Tour of Abuja Cultural Market
The NCAC boss, who took diplomats and stakeholders to the Abuja Cultural Market, which is tucked between the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre and Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel), said his agency plans to replicate the Cultural Market in all the 36 states.
He disclosed that the block of halls was built in 2003 during the CHOGOM. “God has a reason for everything. I was the one that God made to handle CHOGOM for Nigeria in 2003. That was when we built these halls. I never knew I will come back to be part of it. The Queen of England first came to Nigeria in 1965. She came back in 2003 and she said, ‘this is truly Nigerian’. And this is the testimony.”
Runsewe took his visitors to a mini-amphitheatre built within the cultural village complex. “We can organise shows, plays, others here. Like today you saw Nigerians performing the Malaysian dance – Malaysian dance, Japanese dance, Indonesian dance, Ghanaian, every country. So, it can be like a weekly event.
“So, we want to encourage all the foreign embassies to come and enjoy Nigerian cuisine, culture as every state in Nigeria has a zone here.
“We can create in one day 145 direct and indirect employments, it can go to about 300! If you do that in every state, this country will be better for it. So, this is the sector that can save this country. You had better tap into it before it is too late.
On how he intends to ensure that after investing so much resources into the cultural market, the facilities will be put into full use, and not allowed to lie fallow and rot away, Runsewe said, “That takes the grace of the Almighty God who owns life and who gives destiny to everyone. We pray He will give us a direction.”
“I have three officers I am training. Even without me being here, they know what to do.
“You should remember that this place was where armed robbers were staying before. In fact, they attempted to lock me up – some powerful people who had interests in taking over and selling this government land. I said to them, if this is the only thing I will do for this country, I will recover this property. Some of you may not know the story. So, I succeeded in recovering the property. They threatened me with court cases. I said I will be happy to be the first Nigerian to be locked up for protecting the interest and integrity of Nigeria. They didn’t succeed. That means the grace of God is still working. In two weeks time, this place will be functional. Many countries have their own, we should also have our own.”
Ogun Emerges Overall Winner of 16th INAC Expo
At the closing ceremony, Runsewe announced Ogun State as the overall winner at the 16th INAC Expo. He commended the efforts of all the participants from16 states that participated in the expo, saying everyone was considered winner. “But the outstanding performance of Ogun State delegates could not go unnoticed.”
“While the exhibition was going on, and we were taking stock of the best exhibitors in terms colours and different quality materials, I received calls from three governors – Ogun, Borno and Rivers who expressed satisfaction on the quality of this year’s expo. Honestly, I was surprised when the calls came in. They told me, they were monitoring all activities happening here,” Runsewe said.
On his part, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Nigeria, Masudur Rahman, said: “We have seen the electrifying performances from Ogun with colourful attires all through, they deserve it. I say congratulations to them.”
The Cultural Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, Li Xuda, who couldn’t hide his excitement said, “I am excited to see how the expo has been over the past days with the display of beautiful culture across nations and states. We need to work together to create a better future.”
Rivers and Taraba got second position, Katsina and Kwara clinched the third position, Kaduna and Ebonyi got fourth position while Borno emerged 5th. Also, India and Taraba won the Best Pavilion Award while Indonesia and Kwara emerged winners of the Best Pavilion in Merchandising. Yobe, Katsina and Anambra won the Best in Leather Works, while Bauchi, Adamawa and Philippines got the Best in Calabash Design and Decoration.
Best in Pottery and Ceramic Design Award went to China, Bulgaria and Kaduna State while Lagos, Ebonyi and Korea won the Best in Wood Works Awards. China and Rivers won Best in Ornaments Award while Plateau, Venezuela and Iran emerged winners in New Innovation Award.
Most Innovative Packaging Award won by Bangladesh, Iran and Burkina Faso; Syria, Kano and Niger won Best Product Design and Metal while the Best in E-Marketing went to Cuba, Columbia and Lebanon. The Best Exhibitor in Networking Strategy went to Ethiopia, Botswana and Trinidad and Tobago while the 16th INAC Special Award went to Africo Ventures, Le Look and Nike Art Gallery.
INAC Special Day Awards went to Mexico and Malaysia, and INAC Special Appearance Award won by Kogi and Egypt. The State Days Awards went to Rivers, Ogun, Taraba and Kwara while the Most Enterprising Exhibitors Award at 16th INAC won by Indonesia, Burkina-Faso and Ogun.
