The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe has been commended for rebranding the Arts and Culture sector to contribute meaningfully to the socio-political and economic development of the nation.

The High Commissioner of Cameroon to Nigeria and the Doyen of the Diplomatic Community in Abuja, His Excellency Salaheddine Abbas Ibrahim, made this remark when members of the Diplomatic community were hosted to a dinner during a tour of facilities at the Arts and Crafts Village in Abuja.

The Doyen was full of commendations for the National Council for Arts and Culture under the dynamic leadership of Otunba Segun Runsewe adding that the passion, drive, records and achievements of Runsewe in the Arts and Culture is evidently unrivalled. This, according to him is evident in the support and confidence the diplomatic community has reposed on him.

He said the Director General remains a blessing to the sector and urged Council to open up vistas of collaboration where the Diplomatic community can tap in to showcase their cultural strengths.

In his welcome address, Otunba Segun
Runsewe, announced that his vision is to present Nigerians with the best cultural market in Africa with its launch of a new marketing strategy which includes a toll gate, a night cultural market, a pharmacy offering free blood sugar tests to visitors of the market, and a birthday shop.

“The Cultural Night Market is the first of its kind in Africa. Between six and nine months of operating the village, we will dovetail into a night market. Everywhere in the world you cannot start a night market without practicing the market during the day before delving into the night market.
You have to operate during the day first, get people acquainted with the idea so that everybody can used to it before extending it into the night shift.
It is intended that when the market is fully operational, one can leave the office at 5pm to the cultural village to shop and feel safe and comfortable when he is there,” he said.

He added that he hopes that the diplomatic community will have unhindered access to the cultural market

Otunba Runsewe also stated that the council in partnership with a world standard pharmacy will host a pharmaceutical space with free medical tests including blood sugar tests for visitors to the space.
Other proposed facilities in the cultural hub include an information/complaint centre-to enhance quality products and services; and a quarterly media interaction session on developments within the village.

There were goodwill messages from ambassadors of various countries including the United States, China, Bulgaria, Mexico, Jamaica, Spain, Cameroon, Cuba, and others who attended the event.

The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe has been described as a detribalised Nigerian who preaches unity for all regions while remaining a constant phenomenon in Nigeria’s culture and tourism sectors by virtue, foresight and dint of hard work.

The Ata – Mmanya of Ossamala ancient kingdom, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness, Eze Victor Awogu made this known when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Council Otunba Segun Runsewe at the Nigeria Culture House.

In a nostalgic laden voice, the Royal Father revealed that Runsewe has over the years proved himself to be a culture icon, administrator and enthusiast who has deepened understanding and cultural consciousness at his different levels of engagements.

He added that no one has doubted his genius in transformational administration which is why successive governments have over the years engaged his services to harness our cultural potential and deepen the business side of culture, especially Tourism.

His Royal Highness maintained that Runsewe has laid a formidable foundation which is the bedrock for his success.

Eze Awogu said he was proud to associate with Runsewe; a giant in the development of Nigerian Culture. He prayed God to grant the Director General more wisdom and grace to succeed.

In his response, the Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe said he was highly elated to receive the high powered delegation led by HRH Eze Victor Awogu in his office.

Runsewe noted that as the primary custodians of culture and tradition, the traditional rulers play a vital role in maintaining peace in their various communities.

He said the traditional institution is the closest to the grassroots which makes it possible for the rulers to easily detect violence and prevent it’s escalation in their domains.

Runsewe said as primary custodians of our various traditions and culture, the traditional rulers will make our traditional institutions a veritable springboard for cultural reorientation for our teeming youths who have gone under the wild influence of westernisation.

The Director General presented gifts to His Royal Highness to express his gratitude for the visit.

Elated at the pace and passion Otunba Runsewe has brought as Nigeria’s culture chief, and his determination to sustain cultural relationship between Nigeria and China, the Nigeria-China Business Council has honored him with the award of Cultural Bridge Builder.

While presenting the award, the national coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr Matthew Uwakwe, at an impressive ceremony to mark the Council’s recognition and award dinner in Abuja stated that Otunba Segun Runsewe has worked tirelessly to build a strong cultural tourism relationship between Nigeria and China.

He addded that Otunba Runsewe had, in various ways, convinced the world that Nigeria culture in its diversity has capacity to foster unity and peace among the people of both countries.

He explained that the Chinese Consulate and the Chinese community in Nigeria were pleased with the pace, passion and diplomatic harmony Otunba Runsewe has brought to bear on his assignment as Nigeria culture chief to sustain cultural relationship between Nigeria and China.

Delivering his keynote address titled: “Strategy For Promoting Cultural Integration Among Nigeria and China”, Runsewe who is the Director General National Council for Arts and Culture drew attention to the need to activate all aspects of cultural ties between Nigeria and China.He also recommended the organising of regular cultural troupes/performances and exhibitions between the two countries.

He said: “Nigeria and China enjoy one of the best bilateral diplomatic and cultural relationships in the world. This bilateral relationship has existed for half a century and was formally promulgated with the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1971 and rejuvenated by the strategic partnership accord in 2005.

“Even recently, China and Nigeria demonstrated their continued commitment to this robust, healthy, progressively dynamic and holistic relationship when they signed the governmental Memorandum of Understanding during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, Beijing Summit.

“China remains one of Nigeria’s key allies, with key bilateral trade and strategic cooperation, as well as trading import and export partnerships. With 80% of Nigeria’s population indicating a positive perception of Nigeria-China relation, Nigeria is clearly one of the most pro-China nations in the world.

Marshalling out the underlying reason for this seamless relationship, Runsewe who also doubles as the President, World Crafts Council for African Region said: “Both countries share similarities with regards to their strategic positioning in their respective continents, their political and economic influence as well as population strength. This fosters a mutually beneficial and harmonious atmosphere full of opportunities for sharing, understanding and exchanging of cultural commonalities and diversities among the two countries.

Otunba Runsewe, who was a special guest of honour at the event,also identified factors that enhance mutual benefits between Nigeria and China. Both countries share the same national day; October 1. For Nigeria, the year is 1960, while China’s is 1948. The two countries are ethnically diverse and share the misfortune of experiencing a civil war at some point in their histories, with the impacts still felt today in various ways.

It will be recalled that Runsewe is currently China Man of The Year and Chairman, Africa China Culture Exchange Society.