INAC 2021 showcases Nigeria’s cultural niche for investment drive

The International Arts and Crafts Expo is held annually in Abuja, it is a brand flagship for not only networking among stakeholders in the art and crafts value chain but also a platform to display the cultural ingenuity of Nigeria brand products for global leverage.

The 2021 edition consolidated on the gains and innovations of the maiden edition of the 2020 drive-in expo, and was a testimony of the Nigeria brand project of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Runsewe as the director-general of the council in repositioning Nigeria through cultural diplomacy.

Organised at the football pitch of the Abuja Sheraton Hotel, the 14th edition of the arts and crafts expo, which was held witrh strict compliance with the full protocol of the COVID-19, came alive with unlimited entertaining features, ranging from cultural display of different ethnic dance steps, female drums entertainers to the performance by an eight-years-old saxophonist that did the national anthem and also played some contemporary Afrobeat melodies to the admiration of the drive-in audience.

The three-day expo was not only entertaining but came with other interesting sessions that made the whole fiesta an unforgettable experience.

Apart from the innovative states’ performances, exhibitions and presentations as well as foreign countries’ participation, INAC expo featured an investment forum and display of Nigeria’s indigenous snacks, food and drinks for the participants to taste and eat from.

The 14th INAC Expo also created an avenue for the six geo-political zones to entertain and host Nigerians and international community to eat, taste, drink, wear, see and feel Nigeria’s brand product under one roof through the replication of a cultural village at the venue which showcased the indigenous cultural niche of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria.

The INAC exhibition has proved to all and sundry that Nigeria hav the products and the market  but lack the linkage to the world.

Again, the states’ presentation at the event was a positive brand position for Nigeria to restrategise towards making a global statement through the potential showcased at the expo.

The Gateway State, Ogun emerged the overall winner at the just-concluded International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), held at the Sheraton Hotel Abuja.

The Ogun State contingent, also bagged awards and prizes for other categories at the exhibition.

Apart from being the overall winner of the iconic showpiece,  Ogun State also won the second prize for best ornament decorations, first position for best exhibitor in e-marketing for  creating  an online website to market the state’s local fabric, Adire.

The state emerged the best in Special Day participation, took first position in best designed pavillon and best product design in textile.

Mr Olusegun Olaotan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism Arts and Culture  Ogun State, said that the numerous prizes and awards won would spur the state to improve on its crafts.

He appreciated Dapo Abiodun for funding the ministry well enough to create beautiful arts and crafts.

Lagos State also set a beautiful record as it got the overall third position, bagged first  position in Best Product Design in fashion and wood work, best designed interior pavillon and first in most innovative Product Packaging.

Bayelsa was another state that worked tirelessly to ensure the state’s crafts were well exhibited as it emerged the fifth overall winner, first position for ornament decorations, second in rafia painting.

Katsina State got the second position for overall winner, best exhibitor in networking strategy, first in product design for leather works and second position in textile designs.

The Federal Capital Territory the overall fourth position along with Kebbi State, second position in Most Innovative Product Packaging, new invention, waste to wealth, first in product design in pottery work.

Ondo State won the best product design in metal works and in rafia painting, while Yobe State bagged first position in best product design in rafia calabash decorations.

Kebbi State got second position for best exhibitor in e-marketing and first in new invention for waste to wealth.

Nasarawa State came second in the category for the product design, rafia calabash decorations, Zamfara State emerged first in product design in embroidery, while Jigawa state bagged second position in product design, leather works.

In his remarks, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, praised the leadership of governor Dapo  Abiodun for his determination and passion to create a cultural tourism economy for Ogun State.

“ What we saw  at the Ogun State night is a clear reflection of a governor, a leader who is determined to leave the state better than he met it. And through the local adire fabric economy, jobs are created, and an industry sustained.

“Governor Abiodun has even brought in the culinary offerings, a perfect hold for the Ogun people, noted for its unique Ofada rice variant, very healthy and good for export.” Runsewe explained.

The NCAC boss who also doubles as President, Africa Region, World Craft Council (WCC), reiterated the urgent need for all state governors to wake up to the reality of the power of culture in transforming dormant economies, he added that oil business is no longer in vogue but the networking and marketing of culture which the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, have in abundant diversity, not excluding gastronomic offerings.

Runsewe also commended the 12 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) which despite COVID -19 impact on the economy braced all odds to showcase their cultural tourism endowments to the world.

International Arts and Crafts Expo, is NCAC’s cultural trade export promotion brand for Nigerian arts and crafts economy, with the world, African countries inclusive represented by their embassies here in Nigeria as major target and drivers.

INAC  Abuja Expo 2021 had in attendance members of the diplomatic community from china, Venezuela, Cuba, India, Iran, Thialand,  Poland, Korea, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina and many others.

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