McPhilips Nwachukwu
24 August 2008
THE commitment of the present leadership of the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the ministerial leadership of Prince Adetokunbo Kayode to keying the activities of the ministry into that aspect of Federal Government's seven- point agenda that has to do with employment and job creation, received further boost early last week as the National Council for Arts and Culture, NCAC at the Old Parade ground, Abuja, kick-started a one week arts and crafts fair tagged first African Arts and Crafts Expo, AFAC 2008.
Before the commencement of the one week event, Minister of State for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong was in Lagos to intimate culture journalists about the event, which he explained, is designed to restore the past glory and influence of the crafts industry and more importantly, to see how to make the industry a major contributor to the nation's foreign exchange earnings.
The Arts and Crafts Expo which opened with the participation of about 18 states and two neighbouring countries of Niger Republic and Mali in attendance, including a representative of the Vice- President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, parastatal heads in the ministry including Mallam M. M. Maidugu, director of National Council of Art and Culture, Professor Tunde Babawale of Centre for Black African Art and Civilization, (CBAAC) and Chief Joe Musa of the National Gallery of Art, (NGA) paraded some of the best arts and crafts from different ethnic formations across the country.
Speaking for the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Mr Sam Worlu at the occasion commended efforts of the National Council for Art and Culture in her commitment to transforming the crafts and culture industry to a viable economic player and employment creation venture. According to the vice president:
'It is gratifying to note therefore, that AFAC Expo 2008 seeks to restore the past glimpse, glamour, glory and influence of the crafts industry, make it a major player in our national economy and a significant contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings.'
He urged Nigerians to engage the work of crafts and arts with more seriousness and a sense of perfection arguing that 'the arts and crafts industry when developed, packaged and promoted could be the elixir needed to empower our people because of the abundant potentials in that sector," adding: 'virtually every community in Nigeria is endowed with some unique type of crafts ranging from textiles/ batik, raffia, metal designs, bead/glass, leather, embroidery making etc.
The development of such industries could play a major role in the diversification of our economic base as well as become a catalyst to small and medium scale ."
Earlier in his remark, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Prince Adetokunbo explained that 'the event is being put together by the National Council for Arts and Crafts (NCAC), a parastatal in the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation with the full understanding, conviction and belief that AFAC Expo 2008 will not only act as a major catalyst but help to reposition, propel and galvanize the crafts sector in taking its rightful place by contributing positively to our national economy."
According to him, the expo conforms to the ministry's strategies, which he said aims at: creating employment and engaging the youths particularly at the grassroots; developing our cultural industries by encouraging massive production; creating new refined products; creating markets for the products; and exposing products of arts and crafts to the international market.
Others are creating a platform for continental cultural exchange and understanding; using culture as an instrument for poverty alleviation and wealth creation, and eliminating crime, especially among the able bodied.
Organized by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and structured around the theme: Stimulating Economic Growth Potentials of Arts and Crafts Sector, the event also witnessed a pot-pouri of cultural activities including a showcasing of the rich and diverse African crafts, cuisines, fashion and cultural displays.
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