Culture can drive sustainability, diversification – Runsewe, says NCAC targeting vibrant cultural economy

[By VICTOR NZE]

Culture sector in Nigeria has the capacity to drive the economic diversification and sustainability drive of the Federal Government if effectively harnessed, according to the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe.

Delivering his welcome address at the opening of the four-day National Stakeholders’ Review Conference on the 35^th Anniversary of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held at the Chida Hotel, in Jabi, Abuja, Wednesday, December 6, Otunba Runsewe opined that his position is against the backdrop of the fact that Nigeria ‘is unarguably one of the most culturally diverse nations in Africa, rich in various cultural products,’ adding that the sector can be developed to drive a robust cultural industry.

The NAFEST conference gathered at least five delegates from each state of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including commissioners for culture and tourism, permanent secretaries, and other senior ministry officials in relevant agencies at the state levels.

According to Otunba Runsewe, the cultural sector has the ‘proven capacity’ to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

“In view of the proven capacity of the cultural sector to contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), most nations of the world are developing strategies to integrate and mainstream cultural products to the process of economic development, Nigeria is unarguably one of the most culturally diverse nations in Africa, rich in various cultural products.

“It offers a unique opportunity for artistry, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills that can be developed, showcased and marketed to drive a robust cultural industry. A rich cultural industry in Nigeria will no doubt speed up our diversification drive, engender rapid socio-economic growth and development and lead to a strong and stable Nigerian currency at the international market,” Runsewe said.

The NCAC boss further disclosed that his position on the potential of Nigeria’s arts and culture further reinforces his choice of programmes at the Council.

“It is in the light of the foregoing that the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) under my leadership is vigorously pursuing cultural programmes to open up the industry, unbundle, harness and develop latent skills, talents and capacities that would lead to the emergence of a vibrant cultural economy for Nigeria,” he said.

Runsewe described the NAFEST conference as also a needs assessment forum, in addition to being a veritable platform to ‘re-assess and restrategise’ the sector so as to align it with the agenda of ‘Renewed Hope’ of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“The National Stakeholders’ Review Conference on the 35^th Anniversary of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) offers an ample opportunity for me to share with tall stakeholders and industry players in the culture and arts sector, the views I have always canvassed over the years on how we can collectively chart a new course for the sector and strengthen it as an economic pillar to drive the process of diversification and sustainable economic growth and development.

“We must re-assess ourselves, restrategise so as to align the sector with the agenda of ‘Renewed Hope’ of President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” Runsewe disclosed.

In his presentation, titled; ‘Explore, Understand, and Appreciate Nigeria Culture through Photography,’ foremost photographer, Dayo Adedayo, while describing photography as a medium that can capture, preserve, and promote cultural heritage, fostering cultural exchange and understanding, stated that the art further ‘allows us to explore the world’s diversity and celebrate the richness of Nigeria culture.’

“Overall, photography is a medium that can capture, preserve, and promote cultural heritage, fostering cultural exchange and understanding. It allows us to explore the world’s diversity and celebrate the richness of Nigeria culture,” said the photographer.

According to Adedayo, by deploying photography, ‘we can raise awareness, foster appreciation, and promote the preservation of different cultures and their eritage,’ as he posited that ‘photographs have the power to evoke emotions, spark curiosity, and bridge cultural gaps, ultimately leading to a more inclusive and understanding society.’

Highlight of the opening ceremony was the constitution of syndicated groups made up of all 36 states from the six geo-political zones, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) tasked with coming up with positions to be collated into a communiqué.

The groups are tasked with coming up with positions on sub-themes such as; Skills acquisition; One state-one unique product promotion; Cultural exchanges/Training in China; Financing/funding of sector; E-marketing of tourism/cultural products; Synergy between culture and tourism; Review of past 35 editions of NAFEST;  Establishment of cultural states.