NCAC kick-starts activities to herald arts expo

The stage is set for yet another cultural watershed with the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) playing host to no less than 36 ambassadors, high commissioners and representatives of countries drawn from around the world to a pre-International Arts and Crafts Expo dinner in Abuja.

The assemblage of countries like South Africa, Iran, Cameroun, Spain, China, Sudan, Venezuela, USA and many more from every continent in the world at the pre-INAC dinner was a deliberate attempt by NCAC to rewrite the cultural narratives of Nigeria as it prepares for a groundbreaking 2019 expo.

NCAC’s pre-INAC dinner has become a yearly prelude to kickstarting the event in earnest, making it a most memorable one, especially for foreign nationals.

During the dinner, the Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, giving his welcome address, thanked members of diplomatic corps for gracing the occasion, recalling that it was an improvement from the 22 countries that participated in the 2018 edition of the event.

Runsewe said the essence of the dinner is to provide a platform for diplomats to interact and unwind in an informal atmosphere in a bid to further cement the cordial relationship already existing between them and the host country, Nigeria.

According to the culture missioner, the third edition of INAC will dedicate an entire day to any country interested in entertaining the envoys, noting that last year witnessed phenomenal entertainment from countries like China, India and Bangladesh.

After dinner, Runsewe presented souvenirs to the envoys just as he revealed that plans are also underway to ensure this year’s Cultural Diplomacy Day for Peace slated for November 24 is marked to establish a cultural link among nations with the aim of ensuring a common network of cultural identities.

The dinner featured Nigerian cuisine, sensational cultural presentation, group photo, and exhibition of artistic masterpieces by contemporary Nigerian artists, a display of vintage bronze casts and other historic artifacts courtesy of NCAC.

Meanwhile, two months away to the flag-off of Nigeria’s unity festival slated for Edo State capital, Benin, preparations are reaching conclusive stages, as Edos in diaspora are inundating the NCAC office asking for updates, travel tips, hotel accommodation and other logistics in place to ensure a hitch-free festival even as many of them stated that they will storm the foremost National Arts and Culture Festival with their families and friends

The DG disclosed that from the interest so far shown by Governor Godwin Obaseki, Oba of Benin and the people of Edo State both at home and abroad are clear indications that the preparation for the festival be taken more seriously than ever before “we are under pressure, a positive sign that NAFEST Edo 2019 in October must be given total attention. The response is encouraging and NCAC is ever ready to deliver and make Nigeria the destination for culture and tourism festivals in the world.”