Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Habiba Lawal, will declare the much-awaited African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC) open today.
The event will hold at the permanent site of the National Council for Arts and Culture, beside, Sheraton Hotels and behind Shehu Yar’ Adua centre, Abuja.
The Director-General of the NCAC, Segun Runsewe, made the announcement while inspecting state-of-the-art facilities at the venue of the Expo.
The exhibition site which doubles as the Arts and Crafts village of the NCAC has been totally transformed with exquisite pavilions, an elaborate stage fitted with powerful musical hardware and a vast array of other components all geared towards accommodating and entertaining both local and international guests, top Government Officials, Exhibitors, and the general public.
Special guests expected at the opening ceremony include;Acting Secretary to the Government of the Federation Mrs. Habiba Lawal, , Deputy Governor of Edo State; Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, as Special Guest of Honour, Royal Fathers of the day, Emir of Abaji, Alhaji Adamu Baba Yunusa, Chairman, FCT Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Isma’ila Mohammed, Emir of Karshi.
Others are, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, Paulin Tallen and Minister, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, among others.
Other Guests of Honour expected to grace the opening ceremony  include, all State Governors, all Ambassadors and High Commissioners to Nigeria.
According to Runsewe, this year’s AFAC will feature unique components like free medical checkup such as free optical and dental services, skill acquisition and training for participants while the services of the National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) has been secured to forestall any mishap during the event amongst many other novel innovations.
This year’s edition being the 10th is expected to witness participants and guests from over 25 countries with an unprecedented 150 exhibitors expected to occupy and showcase their unique arts and crafts products during the 20-day event.
Runsewe, expressed his optimism that this edition will surpass previous ones by far given the massive impetus in the organisation and support from stakeholders along with a corresponding pledge from the mass media especially partners like the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and African Independent Television (AIT) who are visibly on ground and have promised to give maximum reportage to the Expo.
