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Africa: Arts And Crafts Expo; NCAC Brings Continent to Country
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Vanguard (Lagos)
7 August 2008
Posted to the web 7 August 2008
Mcphilips Nwachukwu and Benjamin Njoku
In the avowed bid of the present leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation to turn around the fortunes of the culture cum tourism sub sector of the national economy, the National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC) has concluded plans to kick off, the first its kind of cultural trade fair in a regional program aptly tagged, African Arts and Crafts Expo( AFAC).
The event, which is billed to run from 14th through the 23rd of August, 2008 in the nation's capital city of Abuja is being organized to highlight the significance and contributions of arts and crafts to the overall growth of the Nigeria and perhaps, the entire black world.
Ahead of the commencement of the 10- day event, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, who was in Lagos last Friday to intimate culture journalists about the upcoming event explained that the essence of the Arts and Crafts Expo is not only to restore the past glory and influence of the crafts industry, but more importantly to see how to make the industry a major contributor to the nation's foreign exchange earnings.
According to the Minister, about ten countries have already indicated interest to participate in the expected annual event, while many more countries may soon join. Also, all the 36 States of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory; FCT are expected to take part in the fiesta, which flags off at the old parade ground, Abuja.
Organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture(NCAC), the event to be observed under the theme, "Stimulating Economic Growth Potentials of Arts and Crafts Sector" is expected to witness a pot-pouri of cultural activities including the showcasing of the rich and diverse African crafts, cuisines, fashion and cultural displays.
The exhibition, as explained further explained by the Minister will feature among other things the best of the creative ingenuity and heritage of African crafts men and women. The event is also expected to enjoy the participation of African and non-African countries, the 36 states of the Federation, non-governmental organizations, manufacturers and producers of crafts, fashion houses, designers and investors.
Apart from featuring arts and crafts exhibition, where the finest and exquisite designs and products in pottery and ceramics wares, brass and silver works, metal, textiles, leather works raffia/grass works, jewelery, glass works, interior decor, African garments and designs, calabash earrings, cow horn designs and cane works, the minister who was flanked by the Director-General of NCAC, Mallam Maidugu and Chief Executive Officer, National Theatre/National Troupe of Nigeria, Professor Ahmed Yerima said that AFAC Expo is one of the critical programmes of the Ministry of Culture, which is designed to harness, develop and package the nation's cultural industries into a very viable and productive ventures .
Other lined up activities for the event as highlighted by the Minister include; African cuisine display, which comprises cuisines from all parts of Africa, and which will feature ingredients and the various household utensils used in their preparation, competitive events, where awards and prizes will be given to deserving winners, cultural displays and exposition of the rich African textiles amongst other side attractions.
There is also going to be an investment forum, which is expected to feature notable presentations from renowned scholars, financial experts and successful crafts practitioners on the investment potentials in the sector, as well as how to access funding through available micro-credit scheme for small and medium scale enterprises.
"Africans are appreciated and admired world over for their very flamboyant and colorful intricate designs. AFAC 2008 will not be denied of such eye catching and captivating designs." He said.
A medical doctor by profession, Idi Hong expressed his Ministry's firm belief in using the continental event as a platform to showcasing the rich arts and crafts of the country to the rest of the world.
He said, it is envisaged that the cuisine display will help promote African cuisines and elevate them to an international meal that will eventually be available on menu list in any reputable hotel and restaurant across the world.
He reiterated the preparedness of his ministry to partner with relevant organizations and stakeholders in ensuring that they tap from the resources that abounds in the nation's arts and crafts industry.
According to the minister, prior to the sudden boom the country experienced in the oil sector in the 70s and early 80s, which greatly undermined the crafts sub-sector of the nation's emerging economy, the crafts industry happened to be one of the major commercial ventures in the country.
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However, he added that even as part of a civilization and tradition that is at least two thousand years old and the skills dating back beyond that period, the country's arts and crafts have played an important social, economic as well as utilitarian roles which have helped in the area of meeting the developmental needs of the nation.
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