When NCAC’s Treasures of our Land lighted up Presidential Villa

What binds us as a people with one destiny and diverse culture is more evident in our heritage than what divides us as a country. This scenario was what played out at the all-inclusive multilateral cultural exhibition put together by the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Chief Olusegun Runsewe, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, and tagged Treasures of our Land.

The exhibition was a massive display of artistic and cultural artefacts reflective of the six geopolitical zones of the country to showcase Nigeria as part of the cultural activities to mark Nigeria’s 61st independence anniversary.

The exhibition of Nigeria’s cultural treasures, which was another evidence of the council’s readiness to reassure Nigerians and especially the participants at the presidential villa of the place of culture vis-à-vis diverse treasures of the six geopolitical zones and how it can be used as agent of re-entrenching peace co-existence in Nigeria.

The exhibition featured a replica of the iconic Zuma rock, cuisines from across the six geo-political zones, royal attires across ethnic groups, Nigerian leaders from the pre-colonial age and lots more.

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, NCAC Director-General, said that the exhibition of the nation’s cultural treasures was organised to educate Nigerians on the cultural endowments of the nation.

Runsewe said that the NCAC would be facilitating students’ visit to the exhibition stand to keep them abreast of nation’s cultural endowments.

According to him, students from 12 schools within Abuja would be coming on educational tour of the exhibition stand.

“Nigeria is uniquely endowed with lots of tangible and intangible cultural products which should be constantly on display for all to see.

“We have packaged this exhibition to educate our students; we will be bringing in students from 12 schools around the Federal Capital Territory here.

“We intend to catch them young and allow them know more about the nation’s cultural treasures,” he said.

Among delicacies from the North on display are brabisco, Tuwo Dawa, kuka marghi, fura-de-nono, kunun shinkafa, massa, dan wake and kulikuli.

Others are pounded yam, acha, karkashi, beni seed soup, pito, kunu and akara, tuwo shinkafa, dried okro, taushe, zobo, sinasir, danbu, kilishi and dakuwa.

The South-South had starch, banga fisherman, palmwine, roasted plantain and peppered fish on display.

For the South-West, cuisines like amala, ewedu, gbegiri, palmwine, moimoi, akara, peppered snail and agidi were exhibited.

Also from the South-East, Akpu, ofe oweri, egusi, palmwine and abacha were displayed as visitors took different meals from their choice geo-political zones.

Masqueraders like Eyo and more from different ethnic groups performed to the excitement of all present

The above captivating cultural engagements received plaudits from President Muhamandu Buhari, who was accompanied on the historic inspection by Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Federal Government, Boss Mustapha and Niyi Adebayo, Minister of Trade, commended the Director General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe.

President Buhari, who took a brief time off the beat to sit and pose for photographs while sitting on a traditionally caved throne in a palace-like environment, nodded his head in affirmation and endorsement of the exhibition specially, put together to celebrate the rich cultural history of Nigeria, the first by any Nigerian government within the precincts of the seat of power.

Speaking after the presidential visit to the very colourful exhibition, the NCAC boss, Chief Segun Runsewe, stated that the President’s visit with the full compliment of his team and the top officers of the national assembly will send signals to Nigerians to treasure the full values of Nigeria’s culture and history, which clearly defines our nation and people.

“It was a tight schedule for the President who was involved in the activities of celebrating Nigeria at this auspicious period in the life of our nation but yet finds time to visit, introspect and endorse the display of the rich diverse exhibition of Nigerian Cultural tourism components.

“It is clearly an indication that the President believes and loves Nigerian culture, which we at NCAC wish to transform into a viable economy, bigger and better than oil.” The highly elated Runsewe explained.

Also the exhibition hosted youths from different schools at the state house.

The essence of the exhibition as directed by President Buhari was to catch the Nigerian school children young in nationalism, patriotism and cultural orientation.

The three days exhibition set up by the National Council for Arts and Culture at the Presidential Villa was intentional. The idea of setting up the exhibition at the Villa was to enable the invited primary and secondary children to not only have a tour of the stand but to also have a feel of the seat of the federal government called the Presidential Villa or the State House.

For the three days exhibition youth hosted by the NCAC include school children from Tudun Wada Government Secondary School and Olumayu Secondary School, children from the Hilltop and Government secondary School Gariki, School children from EmmaTony International School Kurudu and Glisten International Academy Jahi.

Runsewe assured the children that they are the leaders of tomorrow and that they should start early to develop the right frame of mind to enable them achieve great feats in life.

He said among them are future leaders such as presidents, vice presidents, governors, deputy governors, ministers, senate presidents, judges, senators, Speakers of the federal and state assemblies,  commissioners, etc of this great country called Nigeria

He added that at the arts and craft sector, nobody is a failure because there is room for everybody to excel in the creative world of arts and craft since the sector offers great opportunities for everybody to showcase his or her God given talents.

Runsewe, while decorating the children as future ambassadors of this great nation, told them that they should start now to prepare their minds to take over the affairs of this country when the time is ripe.

He admonished them to get to know each other, build bridges and  relationships  that will cut across zones, ethnic and religious boundaries and above all put their country and nation building first  in all their  endeavours so that their patriotism to their fatherland will not be questionable.

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