Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu literarily dominated the visual narrative at the just-concluded 15th edition of International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) in Abuja, with a record 29 foreign countries in attendance.
The governor’s ‘spiritual’ presence was not in doubt courtesy of the creative touch of Otunba Segun Runsewe-led National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). This was to draw the attention of participants to the state of aquatic splendour, this year’s host of Nigeria’s biggest cultural festival in November.
On the towering stage of Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Sheraton Hotel, was a huge banner drapped and circled around the INAC Expo Olympic size banner. Within it is the INAC Expo Olympic size banner pictures of the Lagos Governor and his wife, Ibironke, strategically embossed, left visitors wondering if Sanwo-Olu made it physically to the INAC Expo.
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Indeed, the Lagos governor ‘magical visual appearance’ is not all about the sight and sound reverberation at the look alike World Travel Market Expo patterned Nigerian INAC showpiece. There were also on showcase banner drappings of key festivals celebrated around the six geo-political zones in the country, reflective of the richness and gifts of Nigerian culture tourism content and export potentials.
Significantly, His Royal Majesty, Oba Ewuare II, Oba of Benin the great and undisputed custodian of Nigeria’s arts and crafts dominance and globally acknowledged source of heritage economy, was also captured in the house, reminding visitors and exhibitors that Benin, Edo State, tells the authentic history of artistic creativity in the world.
Otunba Runsewe stated that INAC Expo is not just about bringing the world together to share, experience and encourage crafts and arts history economy, the trade Expo in its 15th edition life cycle, but also to promote the richness of Nigerian culture, history and tradition.
“We are deliberate in showcasing and marketing Nigerian festivals, arts and crafts. These products tell of our peoples creativity and diversity in all aspects of humanity. We endeavour to integrate, interpret and share with the world, our contributions to global cultural tourism history and no doubt, the recent return of ancient Benin artifacts have put paid to certain narratives that knowledge in Arts and Culture started elsewhere in the world and not in Nigeria,” he said, adding that Benin, the Edo State capital remains the undisputed global capital of arts and crafts of the world.
He assured that Lagos NAFEST, to be hosted by Governor Sanwo-Olu from November 7 to 13, would provide and confirm the city of Lagos as the cultural tourism and entertainment capital of Africa.
