August 19, (THEWILL) – Friday, August 18, the second day of the prestigious International Arts and Crafts Expo, in the city of Abuja, will herald talks on values of culture, as a peace harbinger to National development.
In its 15th edition, INAC geared toward networking Nigerian crafts to the world.
The trade show, with 29 countries in attendance and 17 states’ representatives, will anchor a thorough review of the role of Culture in driving peace as a bastion of national development.
Professor Bakut T. Bakut, Director General, Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution, will mount the podium and expressly navigate the topic, drawing from his experience to situate the recalibration of cultural values as a vehicle to national development, while cerebral “comrade ” and chief executive of National Institute For Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ado Yahuza, set the discussion agenda for the deep unveiling of the topic, its various templates of practical economic, political and social imperatives for advancing national development.
Also, Dr Joseph Tyoakula Ande, of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Abuja, will join Ado Yahuza on this plane of interpretative excursion, to make plain issues desirable in Nigeria’s cultural renaissance, including its Arts and crafts, festivals to drive national development.
There’s no denying that culture remains the vehicle of national unity and cohesion, particularly in these difficult and trying times in our nation.
And with over 29 foreign countries showcasing their crafts and Arts history and economic values, with full ambassadorial and diplomatic presence, INAC, under the watch and internationalisation of Otunba Segun Runsewe, has again underscored a Brand faith in Nigeria, despite challenges of insecurity.
Speaking on the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the expo Thursday, Runsewe affirmed that the culture sector is undoubtedly the game changer in the mobilisation of local and international influencers in the quest to build a peaceful world and nations and effort needed for developmental milestones from all ramifications.
“We have to be consistent, strong and determined in Nigeria to tell our stories, and give other nations and people opportunities to share ideas, trade and understand our cultural value chains. INAC is a vehicle, not only to drive sensitisation investment in our Arts and crafts, but it is also a channel to integrate and provide platforms for other countries to share their cultural tourism policies and investment opportunities that could help bring peace and unity to mankind”, Runsewe further explained.
The three-day Expo which began on Thursday and end on Saturday, features leather and interior design, Raffia and woodworks, apparel and Embroidery, skill acquisition sessions for women and youths, Decorative pottery, metal design, cultural souvenirs, cuisines, Beads and Hand made Bronze, music and cultural dance.
About the Author
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
