It was a gathering of culture enthusiasts and lovers of Crafts and Arts, of different shapes and sizes, some expressive, others interpretative, which adorned the various exhibition stands at 15th edition of the International Arts and crafts expo put together by Otunba Segun Runsewe led National Council for Arts and Culture.( NCAC).
With a record exhibitors attendance of 16 States and international participation of 26 countries, in strategic feature of the best of crafts, Arts, cuisines, indigenous health beverages, this cultural roundtable defines the Nigeria vision for greater Africa and global citizenship through culture.
Significantly, inac is the Nigerian arts and crafts response to the world, which is in deep search for diverse expressions of artistic works, that may connect histories, , geographies and traditions and way of life of other climes devoid of colour of skin or tongues.
For instance, drums and drumming speaks in tongues and easily understood by nations and peoples, connected centuries past through trade, diplomacy and cultural exchanges.
Biblical queen Sheba of Ethiopia, in one of biggest diplomatic cultural exchange on state visit to Solomonic Israel, took along the best of Ethiopian crafts, precious trinkets and ornaments as gift items, which led to same reach out from king Solomon at the end of Sheba’s visit.
At the closing ceremony of INAC on Saturday, the presence of forty six ambassadors and cultural attaches from different countries around the world, sets the pace for the socioeconomic interrogation of Nigerian cultural assets as new oil economy.
No denying that Nigerian culture is the only positive response to issues concerning Africa’s biggest black nation, even at this trying times, the message and endorsement by the forty six diplomats, reverberated round the world, positively redirecting focus on the greatness of Nigerian nation.
Likened to a Dam, Nigerian culture, has in storage enough water to soften and power national integration, peace and cohesion,; key milestones necessary for national economic rebound and peaceful coexistence.
Undoubtedly, the culture message at behest of Otunba Segun Runsewe led NCAC, flourished the Nigerian response during COVID-19 days, situationally Marshalled and drove with compassion and faith,. Nose marks and other critical COVID non-medical components indigenously produced and distributed among Frontline workers in the medical system, national Security Architecture and the Media.
It was a mission and vision, which was carefully adopted by the organized government medical response team and again, indicative of the effective deployment and interpretation of culture to national development by Segun Runsewe.
Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Clara Fulido Escandell recalled the culture industry webinar organized by Runsewe, targeting not just the Nigerian culture tourism community but theentire world, evangelical in process, hope and faith for the rebound for an industry, buffeted to its knees by the pandemic and engaging solutions for a new normal cultural relationship and collaboration between practitioners and governments all over the world.
Inac is certainly, the pay day for those futuristic efforts by Runsewe. His trust and passion for any national assignment is never in doubt. Bold and fearless and courageous, Runsewe is Mr original and cannot be measured with a general crowd mentality. Whenever, and wherever he steps out, Runsewe stands out.
No wonder, Nigeria was accepted and honoured with the best of diplomatic presence ever. I have been around, and am yet to see such gathering of diplomats who believe and love the Nigerian cultural experience. Our culture, arts and crafts spoke volume and the World represented by the excited influencers of global economy, security and culture, took turns to appreciate an uncommon Nigerian and humanist courageously serving nation and people through culture
One must Confess that a new chapter in our cultural tourism economy has been opened. It is strategic, bankable, profitable and a bridge to reenactment of the old cultural pathway that once made Nigeria the pride of Africa and Africans.
As we say in local parlance, if you know, you know and if you don’t, this new culture revolutionary vehicle, powered by Otunba Segun Runsewe, fueled by grit and passion, originality and compassion, may leave many doubting Thomas’s behind.