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Tag: Olusegun Runsewe

  • Runsewe commends Emefiele for creative industry financing initiative

    The Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has commended Central Bank Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, for developing a creative industry financing initiative.

    Runsewe, who gave this commendation in Abuja, said that the initiative would allow investors in the creative industry access loan up to five hundred million naira (¦ 500,000,000) with nine percent (9%) interest rate.

    He said that the initiative would greatly boost the industry and enhance the capacity of key players in the sector to optimise their potential.

    The NCAC boss noted that more than ten countries of the world have used similar initiative to fight poverty, unemployment, crime and youth restiveness.

    “With this noble and patriotic initiative, the CBN Governor has clearly demonstrated his commitment to President Buhari’s economic development agenda with emphasis on diversification and job creation” Runsewe said.

    Read Also: Emefiele: CBN has no multiple exchange rates

    He said: “As one of the highest employers of labour, if the creative industry is fully developed, it will not only create mass employment, it will also stimulate rapid socio-economic growth and development”.

    Runsewe called on key players in the creative industry to take advantage of the opportunity of the facility to develop and strengthen their businesses.

    He also enjoined prospective beneficiaries of the facility to ensure that they comply with the terms and conditions of repayment.

  • Russia 2018: NCAC mobilizes 3 million-man support for Super Eagles

    The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says it is mobilising three million-man support across the globe for the Super Eagles for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

    The Director-General of the Council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe disclosed this in an interview with our reporter on Thursday in Abuja.

    “We will soon open the window on a website, so that if you are supporting Super Eagles, you will key into it.

    “You will be asked one or two questions – Who was the Super Eagles’ captain in 1972? ; Who was the team’s goal keeper in that year? – or other questions.

    “If you answer correctly, you will then get a muffler and other cultural gift items from NCAC.

    Read Also: World Cup: NFF has more work to do for Super Eagles

    “Also, on the days the Super Eagles will be playing their matches, all supporters will wear various traditional attires and hold the country’s national flags,’’ Runsewe said.

    The NCAC boss said the trend was common across football nations of the world and Nigeria would not be an exemption.

    “We will start it here in NCAC, we will go round the world, and yes we must build a cultural support for the supper eagles,’’ he said.

    Speaking on the economy, Runsewe underscored the need for the country to sustain its diversification agenda to move the nation away from mono-oil economy.

    He said the arts, tourism, culture and entertainment sector was a low hanging fruit that should be explored to replace oil in generating revenue for the country.

    “We must think outside the box and not oil all the time; some day, this oil will dry up, but arts and culture will never dry up.

    “I was at the Brazilian Embassy sometimes ago and somebody was requesting for Pele’s painting in millions of dollar.

    “Why should somebody not ask for the painting of Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Okala, Jay-Jay Okocha or Christian Chukwu?

    “These are things we are working towards to happen in the arts and culture sector,’’ Runsewe said.

    NAN

  • Our diverse cultures, symbol of unity – El-Rufai

    Our diverse cultures, symbol of unity – El-Rufai

    Gov. Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State on Tuesday said the diverse cultures of Nigerians should be seen as symbol of unity and must be used to foster peace and development in the country.

    He stated this at the opening of the 30th National Festival of Arts and Culture ( NAFEST ) in Kaduna.

    According to him, Nigeria can become an international tourist destination if it harnesses its cultural heritage.

    The governor, who assured participants of warm reception in Kaduna State, said the festival, had been avenue to foster unity, tolerance and peace among Nigerians since inception in 1970.

    The festival started with a cultural march past by states.

    Among those participating at the week-long festival tagged ”Nigeria Peace and Unity… Our pride” are Bayelsa, Borno, Delta, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Lagos, among others

    The Zazzau Emirate culture was on display on Tuesday as a durbar was staged for visitors.

    The Durbar was led by Wazirin Zazzau team, followed by the Emir’s mounted Troop and foot soldiers.

    The 23 local government areas of Kaduna State also took turn to showcase their cultures.

    Earlier in an opening remark, the Director General, National Council of Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, said “the festival showed that the country was one.”

    He added that participants from all over the country showed the unity of the country.

    “There cannot be Nigeria without the different nationalities that make up the country, that is why we must all work together to keep the country as one,” he added.

    NAN

  • Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    The Director General, Nation Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, said on Wednesday that Nigeria must use cultural diplomacy to address social and economic challenges facing the country.

    Runsewe told journalists in Kaduna that the spate of hate speeches and ethno-religious crisis would be tackled if effective use of culture was made to bring Nigerians together.

    The DG who was in Kaduna for the 47th meeting of the Executive Council on Culture, said Nigeria must learn from history and deploy culture effectively to cement bonds of friendship and interaction among the different tribes in the country.

    “We going to adopt cultural diplomacy to solve most, if not all of the challenges we are facing.

    “We are learning from history and the best option is cultural diplomacy which is what we are going to adopt this time; if we have respect for our individual cultures from different region,there won’t be hate speech.

    “So, we are inculcating and reawakening the consciousness of our people that we can use our culture to solve a lot of problem in our society.”

    The DG also said the country needed to exploit its cultural potentials to boost its Gross domestic Product ( GDP ).

    “We need to prepare ourselves for the rainy day; 17 countries in Africa gather their GDP from culture and tourism, so why not Nigeria, we have the resources, manpower that can take care of all these things.

    “Creative industry alone can change the narrative of this country. In this industry, no one is a waste, everybody useful, because you have to have one thing or two to contribute.

    “This is the sector that will save this country from the challenges we have.”

    Runsenwe disclosed that the council meeting was preparatory to the National Festival of Art and Culture ( NAFEST ), to be held in Kaduna from Oct. 14-21.

    “We have 17 directors from different states of the federation and we have toured facilities to be used for the festival.

    “It is a good strategy that we have gone round to check all the places, I believe Kaduna state is ready for the business of hosting NAFEST, I believe it’s good to go.”

  • Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    Cultural diplomacy will solve Nigeria’s challenges – Runsewe

    The Director General, Nation Council for Arts and Culture, Olusegun Runsewe, said on Wednesday that Nigeria must use cultural diplomacy to address social and economic challenges facing the country.

    Runsewe told journalists in Kaduna that the spate of hate speeches and ethno-religious crisis would be tackled if effective use of culture was made to bring Nigerians together.

    The DG who was in Kaduna for the 47th meeting of the Executive Council on Culture, said Nigeria must learn from history and deploy culture effectively to cement bonds of friendship and interaction among the different tribes in the country.

    “We going to adopt cultural diplomacy to solve most, if not all of the challenges we are facing.

    “We are learning from history and the best option is cultural diplomacy which is what we are going to adopt this time; if we have respect for our individual cultures from different region,there won’t be hate speech.

    “So, we are inculcating and reawakening the consciousness of our people that we can use our culture to solve a lot of problem in our society.”

    The DG also said the country needed to exploit its cultural potentials to boost its Gross domestic Product (GDP).

    “We need to prepare ourselves for the rainy day; 17 countries in Africa gather their GDP from culture and tourism, so why not Nigeria, we have the resources, manpower that can take care of all these things.

    “Creative industry alone can change the narrative of this country. In this industry, no one is a waste, everybody useful, because you have to have one thing or two to contribute.

    “This is the sector that will save this country from the challenges we have.”

    Runsenwe disclosed that the council meeting was preparatory to the National Festival of Art and Culture (NAFEST), to be held in Kaduna from Oct. 14-21.

    “We have 17 directors from different states of the federation and we have toured facilities to be used for the festival.

    “It is a good strategy that we have gone round to check all the places, I believe Kaduna state is ready for the business of hosting NIFEST, I believe it’s good to go.”

  • Culture can drive revenue – NCAC

    Culture can drive revenue – NCAC

    Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC ), says culture is the new revenue driving sector which can serve as an alternative to the oil sector in Nigeria.

    Runsewe said this while speaking at the official opening of the 13th edition of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair in Lagos on Sunday.

    Declaring the three-day event opened, the NCAC D-G maintained  that culture was a  viable alternative revenue generating sector that could help to boost the economy.

    “Nigeria is rich in cultural  content and has a lot to offer to international tourists.

    “Jollof rice is also part of our cultural brand that we can sell to the international world, ” he said.

    He said that Dubai was the next point of call where he would take Nigerian Commissioners and other government officials to see the tourism and cultural development in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

    “In 2014, I traveled with several Commissioners and tourism officials in Nigeria to South Africa to see tourism development in the country.

    “Nigeria can do better in our culture and tourism sector development than other Africa countries, ” he said.

    Runsewe, speaking on behalf of NCAC, drummed up support for Akwaaba Tourism Fair, promised to continually support such initiative in the country.

    “Dubai, South Africa and other tourism developing countries thrive due to their government support.

    “The Federal Government is ready to support any private sector initiative on tourism and culture development in Nigeria and internationally, ” he said.

    Mr Adewale Ashimi, the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that the government was happy that the event was being hosted in Lagos State.

    Ashimi said that the government would continually provide enabling environment for culture and tourism to thrive.

    He said that this year’s event was being hosted at the right time when the government was showing real commitment to tourism development in the state.

    “Lagos State Government will provide infrastructure that will enable tourism to thrive in the city.

    “Government will also continue its support of tourism initiative that will attract tourists into the state. Lagos State is safe for both local and international tourists, ” he said.

    Ashimi further said that the ministry would organise a city tour for local and international tourists/visitors that attended these year’s Akwaaba event.

    Earlier, Mr Ikechi Uko, the organiser of Akwaaba Travel and Tourism Fair, expressed his appreciation to the people that made the event successful.

    He said that the idea of the fair was to bring the world to Africa.

    “We need to do something for Africa in Africa. It is a means of creating proper product for west Africa brand.

    “Jollof rice is part of the brand that can be sold to international tourists,” he said.

    He said that Nigeria and Ghana would be competing in Jollof rice cooking and the best would be announced at the end of the event on Sept. 12.

    “It is not a competition like that but a means of showcasing to the world what West Africans have to offer, ” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the culinary event is aimed at promoting culinary tourism by showcasing the best of West Africa to an international audience.

    The tourism event will be hosting Chefs from Ghana, Gambia and Nigeria to compete for jollof rice challenge.

    These activities were created purposely to bring out the best in West Africa in terms of rice production and promoting the outlook of culinary tourism and local delicacies to foreigners, thereby promoting indigenous hospitality and style.

    The three-day event will also feature Travel 100 Women award as part of Akwaaba Women in Tourism initiative.