Council for Arts and Culture to correct impressions about Nigeria ―Runsewe

The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe at the weekend stated that Nigeria is blessed with rich cultural heritage and hospitable citizens contrary to the negative impression being created about the country before the international community.

Runsewe who said this when the Council hosted the Africa-Nordic Ministers of Foreign Affairs to a Cultural Nite at the Arts and Craft village in Abuja assured that the Council under his leadership would be repositioned to showcase all the nation’s cultural heritage in order to correct the negative impression about the country.

According to him, “the NCAC will soon become the Central Bank of Culture in Nigeria and we are definitely going to provide that Nigeria story with greatness.”

“There are about 600 languages in Africa and Nigeria alone has over 224; so we must start to celebrate our strength as a people.”

“We should start telling our stories the way it should be told, rather than allow somebody telling them the wrong way like the issue of Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, the insurgency is restricted to that area alone but the impression being created before the international community is that Boko-Haram is everywhere in the country, this is not true.”

He explained also that visitors should be able to leave the country at the end of their visits with good impression of Nigeria and her people rather than the falsehood being fed with about the Country

Runsewe expressed the optimism that the visiting Ministers after the warm reception, listening to good traditional music, tasting of some Nigerian food, would have positive disposition about the country.

He maintained that the ministers have attested to the fact that Nigerians were cultured, hospitable and friendly.

According to the NCAC boss, “Today we are opportuned have over 25 countries. What other opportunity can we have? They are going back home with an impression that Nigeria is a home of hospitable and culturally friendly people.”

In her vote of thanks, the group leader Ms Unnur Ramette who is also the Iceland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs appreciated the warm reception accorded them by Nigerian government and NCAC.

According to her, “I love the Nigerian cultural music, I came in yesterday; everything is beautiful; you have a very nice city and fantastic places.”

“Artists gives a country identity and bring in tourists; artists are the best ambassadors; your artists are wonderful.”

“However, my country Iceland have strong relationship with Nigeria especially in trade; in export of stock fish and dried fish.”

“Nigeria is one of the most important market in the world and many people don’t realise that, so we have strong ties with people in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the Cameroonian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Lejeune Mbella expressed satisfaction with the relationship between Nigeria and his country.

He also commended the efforts of Runsewe adding that he enjoyed the reception and entertainment offered them by the NCAC.

The highlight of the event was a cultural performance by the council.

The Africa-Nordic Meetings of Foreign Ministers were initiated by the late Swedish Foreign Minister, Ms Anna Lindh in 2001.

The meeting focused on trade and investment as means of promoting sustainable development.