NCAC rallies tourism to survival strategies

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Segun Runsewe, has urged tourism practitioners and other Nigerians, particularly residents of Lagos, Ogun and Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to brace up and fight off the Covid-19 pandemic through strategic protocols already in place.

The custodian of federal cultural initiative and president, World Craft Council (WCC), African region, said President Buhari was pained about the effects of the pandemic on Nigerians. Hence, his interventions and public engagement to discourage panic and fear.

Runsewe appealed for calm as additional two-week lockdown takes off again, adding that necessary intervention projects would get to the people, “if we all see ourselves as stakeholders in the effort to kick coronavirus out of Nigeria”.

“I must confess that the scenario is difficult for everyone; government is losing revenue fast than ever before, the budget been slashed, which again will affect project deliveries and the effects on those who work to eat. It’s a humongous reality but as a people, Nigerians have always in one accord, rallied to put down clouds of darkness which threatened our collective existence in the past and this Covid-19 cannot be an exception,” Runsewe said.

He recalled that there are many values of the African cultural history – like obedience to constituted authorities, respect for the welfare and safety of neighbours – as the culture ideals, which Nigerians from all works of life must put to practice to achieve control measures like social distancing, and regular hand washing habit.

Runsewe urged the traditional rulers, clergy men and Moslem leaders not to see the Covid-19 protocols and consequent lock down across country as targeted against them but a sacrifice which we must all bear to keep our people and our future safe.