The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says it is hosting over 43 members of the diplomatic community to strengthen cultural relations and network Nigerian crafts to the world.
The Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said this on Friday at the 2022 Pre-International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Dinner for Diplomats in Abuja.
The theme of the dinner is “Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World.”
Runsewe said that the pre-INAC dinner which evolved in 2018, was a platform for engaging with members of the diplomatic community in the build-up to the INAC exposition, a yearly programme organized by the NCAC.
According to him, the programme provides an opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to interact among themselves and the management of NCAC.
The director-general also described the programme as a platform for relevant stakeholders to make input that would further enrich the content of the exposition.
“Today, we have over 43 countries with over 29 ambassadors present.
What other better platform can you get to showcase the best of Nigeria.
“Tonight, we have been able to speak to the world.
With all these countries present, we have spoken to the world that some of the stories they read about Nigeria are not correct stories.
‘They could see that this country is peaceful and there is harmony in Nigeria.
“Although we could have our challenges, tonight all the embassies will be telling their home countries that they had a wonderful dinner at Sheraton Hotel on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“They can see that if there is no peace and harmony in the country, we will not be having this kind of dinner.
“For me, I am very happy that we were able to have a platform to showcase the strength of Nigeria as a people,” the NCAC boss said.
He said that the 2022 INAC exposition which would be held from Aug. 18 to 20, would be dedicated to the media as the council intended to provide an opportunity to the members of the diplomatic community to showcase and market the strength of their countries.
“I, therefore, implore all foreign missions in Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the exposition to showcase the cultural peculiarities and strength of their respective countries,” he said.
Mr Li Xuda, Cultural Counselor, Chinese Embassy, commended the NCAC for the opportunity offered to the members of the diplomatic community.
He expressed hope that the INAC exposition would promote mutual understanding and cultural relations between Nigeria and members of the diplomatic community through networking arts and crafts to the world.
