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  • Runsewe, Commissions call for merger of Arts, Culture for best results

    Runsewe, Commissions call for merger of Arts, Culture for best results

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    The
    Director General of National Council of Arts & Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe and States Commissioners of Arts, Culture and Tourism, have called for the merging of Arts, and Culture ministries for best functional results.

    Runsewe emphasized that both cannot function independently from each other.

    In a joint demand, Otunba Runsewe and over fifteen commissioners made this known at the just concluded conference held in Abuja recently to review the National Festival of Arts of Culture ,NAFEST, for the first time since its establishment in 1970.

    According to the DG, NCAC and other tourism agencies have been at the forefront of the fight to separate culture and tourism from other ministries, not as individual ministries but one ministry.

    “We want government to return the two ministries (arts, culture and tourism) together as one.”

    “Tourism sells culture.
    We started the campaign to separate culture and tourism from other ministries.”
    “Tourism in Nigeria has two parastatals, culture has eleven parastatals.”

    “It is only in Nigeria that you have so many parastatals. In foreign climes, most of these parastatals are departments. The money we should use in moving around should have been put in one place.”

    “In Dubai, you don’t have all that. It is one department that takes care of others and there is no competition. In Nigeria, there is so much competition, said Runsewe.

  • Runsewe moves to make Nigeria Africa’s Cultural Market

    Runsewe moves to make Nigeria Africa’s Cultural Market

    …as Diplomatic Community lauds rebranding of Nigerian Culture

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Otunba Segun Runsewe, has disclosed that his vision is to turn Nigeria into the best cultural market in Africa.

    Runsewe said that he would with achieve this with the launch of a new marketing strategy which includes a toll gate, a night cultural market, a pharmacy offering free blood sugar tests to visitors of the market, and a birthday shop.

    The NCAC Director General disclosed this when members of the Diplomatic community were hosted to a dinner during a tour of facilities at the Arts and Crafts Village in Abuja.

    He said “The Cultural Night Market is the first of its kind in Africa. Between six and nine months of operating the village, we will dovetail into a night market.
    Everywhere in the world you cannot start a night market without practicing the market during the day before delving into the night market.”

    “You have to operate during the day first, get people acquainted with the idea so that everybody can used to it before extending it into the night shift.”

    “It is intended that when the market is fully operational, one can leave the office at 5pm to the cultural village to shop and feel safe and comfortable when he is there”, adding that the diplomatic community will have unhindered access to the cultural market.

    Furthermore Otunba Runsewe revealed that the Council in partnership with a world standard pharmacy will host a pharmaceutical space with free medical tests including blood sugar tests for visitors to the space.

    Other proposed facilities in the cultural hub include an information/complaint centre-to enhance quality products and services; and a quarterly media interaction session on developments within the village he started.

    Meanwhile, the Diplomatic Community led by the High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja, His Excellency Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim has commended Otunba Segun Runsewe for his laudable efforts at rebranding the Arts and Culture sector to contribute meaningfully to the socio political and economic development of the nation.

    The Diplomatic Doyen parted Otunba Runsewe’s back for his dynamic leadership style,
    adding that the passion, drive, records and achievements of the Arts and Culture boss is evidently unrivalled.

    This, according to him is evident in the support and confidence the diplomatic community has reposed on him.

    Salaheddine noted that the NCAC Director General remains a blessing to the sector and urged Council to open up vistas of collaboration where the Diplomatic community can tap in to showcase their cultural strengths.

    Ambassadors of various countries including the United States, China, Bulgaria, Mexico, Jamaica, Spain, Cameroon, Cuba attended the event.

  • Eko NAFEST: Gov. Sanwo-Olu to unveil Nigeria’s cultural wonders- Runsewe

    Eko NAFEST: Gov. Sanwo-Olu to unveil Nigeria’s cultural wonders- Runsewe

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    As Nigerians count days to the 2022 Edition of Eko NAFEST, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe has stated that the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu would in November officially unveil Nigeria’s cultural wonders to the world.

    According to Runsewe, Lagos State the citadel of culture will host the 2022 edition of National Festival of Arts and Culture which is Nigeria’s biggest cultural tourism export, adding that culture is a lubricant to the nation’s socioeconomic value.

    2022 NAFEST is a bouquet of festivals, dances, indigenous culineries from states like kaduna,Rivers, Edo, Plateau and Ekiti States.

    The NCAC lead noted that each of the nation’s cultural event is geared towards creating global awareness and it is intrinsic to unity, love and
    connectivity of the nation.

    Speaking on the Gastronomy culture of the nation, Runsewe noted that the massive display of our food culture, from soups to snacks, beverages and peacocks of ” swallows” is unique to each geopolitical zones.

    In the last six years in office, the Chief Cultural officer has focused and changed the culture narrative of Nigeria through innovative inputs.
    ” I want to showcase beyond our dances and food culture, the 37 wonders of Nigeria and there no better place to do so than at Eko NAFEST ” Runsewe said.

  • Sanwo-Olu, Runsewe clinch Balearica Tourism Award

    Sanwo-Olu, Runsewe clinch Balearica Tourism Award

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Governor of Lagos State, Babajide  Sanwo- Olu, Director General if the National Center for Arts and Culture, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe have both clinched the covetious Nigeria Tourism Awards known as Balearica Award.

    Otunba Runsewe  who emerged  ” Tourism Personality of the Year”  over the weekend alongside  Sanwo-Olu, Dr Ibrahim Goni,  Prince Adeyanju Lipede, Sterling Bank at the Fourth Edition of Nigeria Tourism Awards.

    History was made as the winners of the Tourism Awards were announced via a virtual event. Nigeria Tourism Awards, also known as The Balearica Awards, named and design after the Crowned Crane which was once voted the national bird of Nigeria. According to the CEO of the awards, Mr. Efetobo Awhana the event was switched to a virtual meeting due to the rising numbers of the Covid-19 infections in Nigeria and the health risks of large gatherings.

     For the first time potential winners were judged and scored on the set criteria for their category. For the previous editions the winners were determined via public nominations and online voting. The number of awards were also increased from 24 to 44 for this edition to cover the diverse nature of the tourism industry.

     Awhana said , “2020 was indeed a difficult year for every practitioner in the tourism industry.”
    “Nigeria  Tourism Awards 2020 recognises those tourism firms and individuals who have gone out of their way to boost domestic tourism whilst Covid-19 ravaged the world.”

    The most anticipated categories for 2020 went to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Best Tourism Governor), Otunba Segun Runsewe (Tourism Personality of the Year), Dr Adebisi Obawale (Best Tourism Commissioner), Alado of Ado Awaye, HRM Oba Ademola Folakanmi (Royal Support for Tourism), and Omotoke Fatoki (Young Tourism Personality of the Year). Lifetime Achievement Awards went to Chief Mike Amachree and Mr Jemi Alade.

    There were also special recognition awards for Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Tourism Infrastructure); Conservator-General of National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Goni (Essential Duties); Prince Adeyanju Lipede (Tourism Investment) and Sterling Bank (Tourism Support). Others who received the individual awards include the National President of NANTA, Mrs Susan Akporiaye; National President of ATBOWATON, Mr Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun; MD of Sprints Travels, Mrs Bunmi Aremu; MD of Aviator Travels, Mrs Tinuke Nwakohu; MD of Traveltron, Mrs Bimbo Durosinmi-Etti; DG of CRIMMD, Dr Raphael James and the DG of NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Coker.

    Other  outstanding tourism brands who won their categories for 2020 include Z Kitchen (Premium Dining Restaurant), Tamberma Ibadan (Best Ethnic Restaurant), Work And Play (Best Tourism Promotion Initiative).Radisson Blu Anchorage Lagos (Best International Chain Hotel), Transcorp Calabar (Best Independent Brand Hotel), Jara Beach Resort (Best Beach Hotel), La Campagne Tropicana (Best Resort), TVC News (Best Tourism Support Media). Angel Style World Travels (Best Domestic Tour Operator), Zee Goes (Best Travel Blog) and Badagry (Best Tourism Destination). The Envoy Hotel Abuja went home with two awards for Best Boutique Hotel  and Best Luxury Hotel. 

  • Nigeria’s cultural diversity is tripod of Unity, development- Runsewe

    Nigeria’s cultural diversity is tripod of Unity, development- Runsewe

    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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  • Runsewe commends Ogun Gov Abiodun for promoting Adire fabric as national attire

    Runsewe commends Ogun Gov Abiodun for promoting Adire fabric as national attire


    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

    Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) Otunba Segun Runsewe has commended the Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun on the strategic campaign to promote indigenous Adire fabrics as National dress code, thus showcasing Nigeria’s iconic cultural heritage.

    Otunba Runsewe who’s also the President, Africa Region of the World Craft Council (WCC), noted that the pronouncement by Ogun state governor to adopt Adire fabrics as official uniform for all the students in ogun state remains the very critical and visible engagement to support Cultural awareness and creativity, in order to sustain the emergence of the Adire heritage economy and empower rural development.

    Governor Abiodun, Otunba Runsewe said is “An unapologetic evangelist and prophetic campaigner on Nigeria’s Cultural advancement through the adoptation and showcasing our diverse heritage lifestyles”
    Recall that Otunba Segun Runsewe in a like manner while at Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation ( NTDC) and now at NCAC, made the use of indigenous fabrics the fulcrum of national identify and promotional materials marketing agenda at all local and International Cultural tourism events.

    He said, ” Am the happiest Nigerian today and I must thank Ogun State governor for joining us to show case the Adire heritage fabrics and adopting it as school uniform for students in ogun state, including its use by government officials and in all activities of government businesses. This is the way to go as it will benefit the rural economy, empower women and youths and help in historical revival of heritage teachings and knowledge.”

    It must be noted that Adire fabrics was rebranded and has become the face of Cultural marketing promotion at World Travel markets.
    Adire was adopted as golf fabrics, laptop bags, facemasks as part of the protocols for new normal pandemic, and on national colours for specially made suits for international outings for exhibitions and marketing Nigerian Cultural tourism opportunities.

    At NCAC Cultural marketing projects such as National Festival for Arts and Culture (Nafest), International Arts and CRAFTS expo (INAC), and conferences , local heritage fabrics such as Adire and other heritage fabrics across the nation, were usually on gross display as bounting, flags, neck and wrist wears, with diplomatic communities generously gifted and presented with various varieties and qualities of our local heritage fabrics.

    Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State governor, had on Thursday during the flag off Adire Digital Market, held at June 12 Cultural center ,kuto, Abeokuta, advocated for the Promotion of Nigerian indigenous fabrics to the world, noting that Adire fabrics can be adopted as national colour wears for athletes, and other sporting engagements, adding that the Ministry of foreign Affairs, and the Culture and Information counter part, should buy into the agenda to use Adire fabrics to market Nigeria to the outside world.

    The governor further explained that Ogun state is ready and willing to partner with all federal government agencies in sports and Culture to promote the Adire fabrics economy and help grow Adire entrepreneurs, empower women and youths and expose the limitless Cultural endowments in ogun state.