NCAC To Launch Int’l Cultural Diplomacy For Peace

BY GLORIA USMAN, ABUJA – In an effort to further promote peace and stability in the country, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), is set to launch the International Cultural Diplomacy for Peace, aimed at propagating and promoting sustainable peace in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Director General of the Council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who announced this at the opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo Abuja, said the expo was upgraded to the international level last year owing to its growing popularity and the need to reflect the global relevance and outlook of the programme.

Runsewe said the expo with the theme: ‘Networking Nigerian Crafts To The World’ which is expected to last till November 24, is geared towards exposing entrepreneurs across the globe to interact, network and exchange ideas.

The DG also said that the Expo is to also serve as an avenue for mobilising the youths and women towards actualising their talents, skills and creativity, adding that empowering the masses and stimulating rapid socio-economic growth would contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the nation.

He called on Nigerians to take full advantage of the Expo by availing themselves with the free medical services and numerous skill acquisition components and waste to wealth initiatives carefully designed by the NCAC to empower Nigerians in line with the policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Runsewe expressed confidence that Nigeria’s culture and living arts industry would make unprecedented economic gains with over 23 countries from around the world participating in this year’s INAC which is expected to take place between November 19 and 24, 2018.

In his remarks; the minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was represented by his ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Grace Gekpe, said the expo serves as an opportunity for Nigerian Artists to leverage on its diverse culture and traditions.

He called on corporate bodies to support the Nigerian economy by investing in the creative sector for improved sustainable growth to benefit the teaming population of the country.

In his own remarks, chairman of the occasion, who is the publisher of Leadership Newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah, said the arts and craft sector remains one of Nigeria’s best kept secret evident from the quality it produces.