The Director General (DG) of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has charged Nigerians to embrace culture and tourism as means of promoting peace, progress and unity in the country.
He gave the charge during the 52nd Stakeholders’ meeting of the National Festival of Arts and culture (NAFEST) tagged ‘Celebrating National Unity In Diversity.
Runsewe, however, stressed that Ekiti State has a lot to offer in the development of culture and tourism sector in the country while urging the state government to utilize the resources and potentials at its disposal maximally.
He added “no investor will come to Nigeria if we continue to protest, riot and foment troubles”.
He, however, advised that protest should be organize in a very peaceful manner while identifying that the media has a crucial role to promote peace and build the country’s culture.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the Deputy Governor of Ekiti State, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi reiterated the readiness and commitment of the State Government to host and finance the 2021 NAFEST in the State.
He said “the government has always shown interest in the cultural heritage of the state and the country at large.
He added that the Dr. Kayode Fayemi’s administration has given priority to the culture and tourism sector in the state which necessitated him to create a special ministry to look into the affairs of culture in the state for effective performance.
The Deputy Governor added that the state government has absorbed a total of 32 graduates and professionals into the relevant fields of theatre and visual arts since the creation of the ministry few years ago for qualitative performance.
He further stressed that any state that fails to take into account the need and culture of its people is bound to face serious social, political and economic crises in the long run.
Speaking further, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in the state, Professor Rasaki Ojo Bakare expressed the readiness of the state government to enhance the capacity of the members of staff of the ministry towards the hosting of NAFEST event later in the year at the state capital.
He, however, appreciated the efforts of Governor Fayemi for his regular support towards the promotion of culture and tourism in the state.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
