By Adeleye Kunle
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu literarily dominated the visual narrative at the recently concluded 15th International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) in Abuja, which drew a record 29 foreign countries.
The governor’s’spiritual’ presence was undeniable, thanks to the inventiveness of the National Council for Arts and Culture, led by Otunba Segun Runsewe (NCAC). This was done to draw participants’ attention to the state of aquatic splendour, which will host Nigeria’s largest cultural festival in November this year.
A huge banner drapped and circled the INAC Expo Olympic size banner on the towering stage of the Abuja Sheraton Hotel’s Ladi Kwali Hall. The INAC Expo Olympic size banner pictures of Lagos Governor and his wife, Ibironke, strategically embossed within it left visitors wondering if Sanwo-Olu made it physically to the INAC Expo.
Indeed, the Lagos governor’s’magical visual appearance’ is more than just the sight and sound reverberation at the World Travel Market Expo-inspired Nigerian INAC showpiece. There were also banner drapings of key festivals celebrated across the country’s six geopolitical zones, reflecting 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 recognized source of heritage economy, was also captured in the house, reminding visitors and exhibitors that Benin, Edo State, tells the world’s authentic history of artistic creativity.
INAC Expo, according to Otunba Runsewe, is about more than just 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 about promoting the richness of Nigerian culture, history, and tradition.
“We take great care in promoting and marketing Nigerian festivals, arts, and crafts.” These items demonstrate our people’s creativity and diversity in all aspects of humanity. We strive to integrate, interpret, and share with the world our contributions to global cultural tourism history, and without a doubt, the recent return of ancient Benin artifacts has put paid to certain narratives that knowledge in Arts and Culture began elsewhere in the world and not in Nigeria,” he said, adding that Benin, the Edo State capital, remains the world’s undisputed global capital of arts and crafts.
He assured that Lagos NAFEST, which will be hosted by Governor Sanwo-Olu from November 7 to 13, would provide and confirm Lagos as Africa’s cultural tourism and entertainment capital.
