By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NACA, has described Nigeria’s cultural diversity as a tripod on which the country’s Unity and development stands. Runsewe said this at the opening ceremony of the 33rd edition the National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST on Monday when over 22 states including the FCT displayed their cultural prowess.
Otunba Segun Runsewe, in his opening remarks noted that Jos plateau, cannot be ignored in the Cultural agenda to rebuild Nigeria, noting that all covid protocols will be observed to the letter as Nigeria prepares for a post covid Cultural tourism economy.
The Plateau State governor Simion Lalong noted that Peace 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.” he started.
Speaking also at 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 identify among the community 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 Covid 19 to the economy and I must also appreciate the DG NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe for making this happen. Runsewe deserves our support and encouragement. 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 emphazied.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Dame Pauline Tallen expressed her excitement over Nafest and it’s 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.Meanwhile Otunba Runsewe used dthe occasion to launch a book titled Nigeria @ 60 edited by a journalist , Lanre Alfred.
Lalong noted that Nigeria must take Cultural tourism very seriously and use it as veritable platform to promote rural development and empower women.
national development and credit today goes to the governor, the people of plateau state”. She emphasized.
” We are conscious of the impact and challenges posed by covid, 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” otunba segun Runsewe explained.
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