Culture is capable of taking Nigeria to greater hight, says NCAC

By Florence Kalu

Director General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has called Nigerians to use culture to rebuild the country.

Speaking at the opening ceremony,of the 33rd edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture ( NAFEST), Runsewe, said that Nigeria is blessed with rich culture, if well harnessed would contribute in rebuilding the country for greatest.

Runsewe, noted that Jos Plateau, cannot be ignored in the Cultural agenda to rebuild Nigeria, noting that all Covid-19 protocols will be observed to the letter as Nigeria prepares for a post Covid-19 Cultural tourism economy.

” We are conscious of the impact and challenges posed by Covid-19, and so we are ready to observe all it’s protocols but we must prepare and engage our people and investors on the post Covid-19 outlook in order not to completely lose focus on the market”, he explained.

Governor Simon Lalong noted that Nigeria must take Cultural tourism very seriously and use it as veritable platform to promote rural development and empower women.
Speaking also at the occasion, Senate Committee Chairman and former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha noted that any nation without Culture and history, will struggle with national identity among the rest of nations.

He commended Governor Simon Lalong for hosting NAFEST and using the platform to tell the peaceful story of the Plateau nation.

” Governor Lalong has done well despite the challenges of Covid19 to the economy and I must also appreciate the DG NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe for making this happen.

“Runsewe deserves our support and encouragement and that is why I had to be here today. NAFEST must be used to market Nigeria, so next time, I will want to see all the foreign diplomatic communities attend this Cultural program.” Okorocha further explained.

Dame Pauline Tallen, Women Affairs Minister, was also excited about NAFEST impact on the Jos, Plateau tourism economy, stating that Governor Simon Lalong has returned peace to the Plateau, making it once again the heartbeat of Nigeria’s Cultural tourism destination.

” A look at the map of Nigeria shows the unique place Plateau occupies in the heart of the nation and am proud of what we are seeing here again in Jos. We are ready to occupy our rightful place in all areas of national development and credit today goes to the governor, the people of plateau state”. She emphasized.

Plateau State Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong’s said, “Peace has returned to the Plateau nation. We have invested on security and welfare of our people, we cherish our culture and unity, and today we are here to show to the world that Plateau is the place to be.”