Jonathan Eze
The International Arts and Handicrafts Trade Show (SIAO) at Ouagadougou in Burkina-Faso will witness huge transformation this year in terms of participation according to a statement by the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Chief Segun Runsewe.
Runsewe made this known when he received a four-man delegation from the Burkina Faso Embassy led by Mr. Diallo-Hassane, who paid a visit to the culture headquarters to seek Nigeria’s partnership in making this year’s event first of its kind in terms of packaging, promotion and participation.
Briefing the NCAC DG, Diallo-Hassane was of the opinion that Nigeria was a country blessed with numerous art and crafts adding that her participation in this year’s trade show will create a platform for sound networking between other African nations such as Ghana, Senegal, Zambia, Tanzania and others.
The Burkina Faso officials acknowledged the fact that Nigeria has some very nice and wonderful products to showcase to the world while participating in the trade fair.
According to the delegation, a business forum is normally organised where countries like Japan, America and many advanced countries from Europe including other parts of the world interact with each other during the trade fair which often serves as an avenue to showcase African strength collectively noting that many exhibitors look forward to this event.
While responding, the Director-General promised to attend and grace the occasion in his capacity as the current president of world crafts council barring unplanned circumstances affirming that Nigerian art and crafts cannot be found anywhere in the world.
The culture helmsman used the opportunity to inform the delegation that this year’s African arts and Crafts expo (AFAC) now known as International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) which will be held later in the year is also going to be a well repackaged fair with well organised and modernised state of the arts facilities.
The Director-General intimated that Nigeria being the soul of culture in Africa, will support with all the needed logistics in making this year’s (SIOA) a huge success. He concluded by saying, “With our strong working relationship already in existence, you can be well assured that our partnership with you is total.â€
The event which has been in existence since 1988 promises to bring on board a unique and positive dimension to this year’s occasion. The trade show will commence early October and will last for ten days.
