By Sharon Obi

National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) says it is expecting at least 25 countries and 150 exhibitors at the 10th African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo scheduled for Abuja.

The Director-General, NCAC, Otunba Segun Runsewe, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Runsewe said that participants from these countries and the exhibitors were expected to showcase their unique cultural identities at the expo which is holding from Aug. 27 to Sept. 17.

He expressed commitment to justifying his appointment by using culture as the only tool to change the narratives of Nigeria.

“This time, we want to depart from having expo without media content so we need an overwhelming publicity for the event.

“The expo will be a market place for showcasing arts and crafts products such as fabrics, leather and souvenirs from Nigeria and other African countries.

“The expo is also apt as Nigeria needs to record remarkable achievements in developing the culture industry to enviable heights through festivals like AFAC,’’ he said.

Runsewe said that the expo, with the theme: “Nigerian Crafts: The Untapped Treasure” is geared toward harnessing and developing arts and crafts and other creative industries in the country.

“It will be a unique opportunity for artists, craft dealers, manufacturers and other stakeholders to buy and sell their brands.’’

According to him, the expo will play a key role toward job creation and economic empowerment.

NCAC is a Federal Government organ charged with the responsibility of coordinating, developing and promoting the country’s arts and culture at national and international fora.

The council focuses its programmes and projects toward positively changing the perception about culture and cultural activities as serious business opportunities.

It portrays arts and culture as tool for the promotion of peace, social integration and national identity. (NAN)