Segun Runsewe: Globally Showcasing Nigerian Arts, Culture and Tourism

Otunba Segun Runsewe, a former Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, and currently the DG, National Council of Arts and Culture, is a man on a mission. Chiemelie Ezeobi reports that from championing tourism, he has extended same midas touch to the arts and culture agency where he is showcasing the nation’s rich cultural trove to the world

For those who know Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, his physical prowess and cosmopolitan personality have remained constant in his over three decades of different national assignments. This staying power has been attributed to his intellect, strong willpower and dexterity in turning the profile of any agency given to him, thereby producing landmark results.

A long standing advocate of diversifying from oil, Otunba’s innovative skills, and capacity in turning dead agencies into functional and profitable entities stands him out.

Also known as a detribalised Nigerian, he preaches unity for all regions while remaining a constant phenomenon in Nigeria’s culture and tourism sectors by virtue, dint of hard work and foresight.

Independence Day Exploits

Recently, that passion to showcase Nigeria received a boost. As part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 61st Independence Day, President Muhammadu Buhari paid a visit to an exhibition stand set up by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) with the theme ‘The Treasures of Our Beloved Country’.

The president was accompanied by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawan; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and Minister of Trade, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, to the Banquet Hall, Aso Rock Villa Abuja, venue of the historic inspection.

He commended NCAC DG, Otunba Runsewe, who conducted him and his team round the massive display of artistic and cultural artifacts reflective of the six geopolitical zones of the country, for a great job done to showcase Nigeria to the world.

Sitting on a traditionally carved throne in a palace-like environment, the president endorsed the exhibition specially put together to celebrate the rich cultural history of Nigeria- the first by any Nigerian government within the precincts of the seat of power.

Speaking after the presidential visit to the very colourful exhibition, Runsewe, stated that the president’s visit with the full complement of his team and the top officers of the National Assembly, would send signals to Nigerians to treasure the full values of Nigeria’s culture and history, which clearly defines our nation and people.

“It was a tight schedule for the President who was involved in the activities of celebrating Nigeria at this auspicious period in the life of our nation, yet found time to visit, introspect and endorse the display of the rich diverse exhibition of Nigerian cultural tourism components. It is clearly an indication that the President believes and loves Nigerian culture, which we at NCAC wish to transform into a viable economy, bigger and better than oil,” Runsewe said.

Annual Arts And Crafts Expo

Meanwhile, the DG boosted the annual International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), which has emerged as crafts and culture exhibition ground for many countries across the world that queue up to participate in the yearly event.

Apart from job creation, INAC has also become an effective tool for networking, marketing, and promotion of arts, crafts, and cultural products of Nigeria and many other countries.

He has also brought rare innovations to the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), rebranding the festival and making it a prime national cultural event state governors enthusiastically lobby to host.

Every edition of the festival always witnesses youth participants engaged in skills acquisitions, waste-to-wealth programmes, free medical services with the distribution of hundreds of eyeglasses.

International Engagements

To strengthen international partnership, Otunba Runsewe ensured that the council participated in foreign mission activities such as the first Asian Film Festival in Abuja and the French Institute animated films festival.

While his first tenure also saw some NCAC staff enjoying training, workshop and seminar in China, the council also enjoyed the partnership and cultural exchange programmes with notable foreign missions like India, Iran, South Korea, Ghana, Russia etc.

It is on the basis of his inputs and bridge building approach that he was named China Man of the Year, an award conferred on him at a mid-autumn festival, National Day celebration, Nigeria’s first SGEL Cup Chinese Wushu Championship final performance and award night in Lagos. The event was organised by Hauxing Arts Troupe in Nigeria, the Chinese community, the consulate and the WUSHU Development Association of Nigeria.

On how he won the award, Dr Matthew Uwaekwe, Coordinator, Nigeria-China Business Council said Runsewe emerged winner after a voting session within the Chinese consulate, adding that the Chinese community in Nigeria were elated at the pace and passion at which Runsewe brought to bear in his assignment as Nigeria culture chief.

He added that Runsewe had worked tirelessly to build a strong cultural tourism relationship between Nigeria and China. Runsewe has in various ways, convinced the world that Nigerian culture in its diversity has the capacity to foster unity and peace among the people of both countries and the world.

In his remarks at the event, Runsewe expressed NCAC’s commitment to continue serving as a catalyst for consolidating and sustaining China and Nigeria’s bilateral business, cultural and diplomatic relations for years to come.

He stated that the relationship between NCAC and the Chinese community was simply a true reflection of the overall bilateral relations Nigeria and China had in all facets of economy and life.

He noted that this was due to both countries’ shared similarities with regards to their strategic positioning in their respective continents; their political and economic influence; as well as population strength.

FTAN Honour

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) organised the maiden edition of the First Nigeria Tourism Award to set the pace to reposition the allied tourism industry.

The incentive event was a night of glowing tributes to an ardent tourism, art and culture icon, Segun Runsewe, who was honoured by the federation with the ‘Nigerian Tourism and Culture Brand Icon Award’ for his enormous contributions to the growth and development of practical and people inclusive tourism in Nigeria.

The award night which drew dignitaries from core and allied tourism stakeholders to the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, was a new step by the FTAN to raise the bar of pro-activeness among the public and private sector participants in the industry.

Speaking during the award ceremony, the President Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria, FTAN, Mr Nkereuwem Onung, stated that FTAN instituted the first Nigerian Tourism and Culture Brand Icon Award to honour Otunba Segun Runsewe for his immense contributions to the growth and development of Tourism, Art and Culture in Nigeria.

New Golf Federation President

Runsewe is a lover of sport. So it was only fitting that he just emerged as the new President of Nigeria Golf Federation, with a promise to promote the sport’s grassroots development. Air Commodore Davis Solomon with 10 votes defeated Suleiman Bello from North-East zone who garnered only one vote to emerge as Vice-President.

Otunba Runsewe said he would concentrate on grassroots development of golf in the country, as well as introduce some innovations into the game.

“We are going to develop a youth programme that will capture the Nigerian golfer from the grassroots because golf is about the only game in which if you don’t start early you can never connect well.

“I am also going to continue from where my predecessor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, stopped. I intend to introduce some innovations into the golfing arena.Today, golf has gone beyond just playing it manually. It is now IT-based. So, I will be bringing a lot of experts from the PGA to come and open more doors for us.

“I can also tell you that there is over six billion dollars in the offing for golfers in the world which the country has not been able to take advantage of. So, my plan is to set up a platform where Nigeria can access a major chunk,” he said.

Runsewe also thanked the media for its support for the development of golf, adding that he had also done a lot to promote the game in the country.