INAC 2021: Runsewe Breaking New Grounds, In The Face Of Covid-19. As Ogun State emerges overall winner
Oru Leonard
The International Arts & Crafts Expo, (INAC) which is hosted annually in Abuja in NIG by the National Council for Arts & Culture with a novelty to go home with took place in an open field at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Abuja.
The 14th edition of the Expo, a drive-in exhibition titled “Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World”, from 13 to 15 October 2021, had different states in Nigerian and the international community to exhibit their specialties in arts, crafts and culture.
Recall that last year NCAC successfully held the 13th of INAC and the 2020 edition of NAFEST in strict compliance of the Covid-19 regulations as set by the Federal Government of NIgeria.
Otunba did not sit down to blame Covid-19 not it’s effect as common with most heads of agencies who relied on the pandemic to blame there failure but rather Otunba twisted it’s arm to ensure an eventful 2021 edition of INAC with the low number of individuals allowed to participate.
This year’s INAC attracted representatives of many countries such as Argentina, Bangladesh, Cuba, Spain, Venezuela, India, China, and other countries, also featured scintillating popular and traditional music performances by Ejiro and Friends, Emma Sax, Ogun Cultural Troupe, Afri Theatre and cultural music and dances from different states.
The 3-day event as usual featured the investment forum which started with a documentary showcasing the beauty of the tourism destinations of Venezuela. Drawing a parallel between Nigeria and Venezuela’s tragic conditions, Dr Abati submitted that Nigeria is like Venezuela with fantastic destinations, but unfortunately, wrong politics and bad security situations in both countries hardly encourage visitors to visit the two countries.
Dr Ruben Abati who was the keynote speaker, started by noting that security is a hindrance to Nigeria’s tourism potentials.
According to him, “The diversification of the Nigerian economy is one of those subjects long talked about, long in coming in terms of realization – a perennial target of many talk sessions, and yet, not much has been done about this proverbial magic wand that is supposed to help reset the Nigerian economy and provide a stronger footing for economic growth and development.”
He also raised a number of questions begging for answers such as, “Why has the discovery of oil in Olobiri in 1956 failed Nigeria? Why is Nigeria trapped in the equivalence of the Venezuela-like oil curse? Why has oil brought Nigeria more misery than joy? And where does the creative industry fit into all that? Can the creative economy save Nigeria, humanize Nigeria, or serve as a catalyst for further possibilities that can advance the goals of sustainable human development and economic prosperity?
Dr Abati also submitted that given the successes of the Nigerian creative industry at the international level, especially Nollywood, the Nigerian popular music and creative writing which produced the Soyinka’s, the Achebes and the Chimamandas, Nigeria needs to invest more in this sector.
Meanwhile, Ogun State emerged the overall winner carting away most of the prizes at the 2021 edition of INAC. Katsina State came 2nd and the Best Exhibitor in Networking Strategy. Lagos took the 3rd position, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Bayelsa came 4th and 5th respectively.
Jigawa and Zamfara states won the 2nd position for Product Design in leather, while Katsina State took the 1st position in that category. Jigawa also came first in General Embroidery (Textile) while Zamfara came first in cap making.
Ondo won the 1st prize in Metal Works as well as in Painting, while Bayelsa came 2nd in the category. The 1st prize in pottery went to FCT. Kaduna State took 1st in Ceramics, while Lagos State came 1st as the Most Innovative Product Packager. Ogun and Kebbi states emerged 1st and 2nd respectively as the Best Exhibitor in E-Marketing.
In all, 13 states of the country and FCT participated in the 2021 International Arts & Craft Expo which overpowered the COVID-19 pandemic through the innovative ideas of the indefatigable Otunba Segun Runsewe, the Director-General of the National Council for Arts & Culture.
His interaction with the Diplomatic Corps before the event paid off as more than 25 nations of the world participated in the 2021 edition of INAC.
