The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) has hosted over 43 members of the diplomatic community to strengthen cultural relations and network Nigerian crafts to the world.

The Director-General of NCAC, Olusegun Runsewe, said this on Friday at the 2022 pre-International Arts and Crafts (INAC) dinner for diplomats in Abuja.

“Today, we have over 43 countries with over 29 ambassadors present. What other better platform can you get to showcase the best of Nigeria.

“Tonight, we have been able to speak to the world. With all these countries present, we have spoken to the world that some of the stories they read about Nigeria are not correct stories,” Mr Runsewe said during the dinner held in Abuja.

The director-general also described the programme as a platform for relevant stakeholders to make input that would further enrich the content of the exposition.

Speaking on the dinner’s theme, “Networking Nigerian Crafts to the World,” Mr Runsewe said the programme provides an opportunity for members of the diplomatic community to interact among themselves and the management of NCAC.

“They could see that this country is peaceful and there is harmony in Nigeria,” he said, noting that Nigeria had its challenges.

“For me, I am very happy that we were able to have a platform to showcase the strength of Nigeria as a people,” the NCAC boss said.

He said that the 2022 INAC exposition which would be held from August 18 to 20, would be dedicated to the media as the council intended to provide an opportunity to the members of the diplomatic community to showcase and market the strength of their countries.

“I, therefore, implore all foreign missions in Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunity offered by the exposition to showcase the cultural peculiarities and strength of their respective countries,” he said.

Li Xuda, cultural counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, commended the NCAC for the opportunity offered to the members of the diplomatic community.

(NAN)