The Director General of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe has assured the Chinese Community in Nigeria that the Council would serve as a catalyst to consolidate and sustain the already existing diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He gave the assurance while delivering a goodwill message at the Mid-Autumn Festival & National Day Celebration and Nigeria First SGEL Cup Chinese Wushi Championship Final Performance and Award Night at the weekend.
“I assure you of the commitment of NCAC’s towards serving as a catalyst for consolidating and sustaining China-Nigeria bilateral business, cultural and diplomatic relations for many more years to come,” Runsewe said.
Runsewe, who was the Chairman of the event, said that the relationship between NCAC and the Chinese Community is simply a true reflection of the overall bilateral relations Nigeria and China have in all facets of life, due to both countries’ shared similarities with regards to strategic positioning in their respective continents,political and economic influence, as well as population strength.
These factors, the NCAC boss pointed out would foster mutually beneficial opportunities for sharing, understanding and exchanging of cultural affinities among the two countries.
“Today, we are once again gathered in continuation of this tradition to renew and rejuvenate the bonds of this strategic partnership, which has continued to wax stronger over the past half a century,” he said.
Runsewe, who thanked the Chinese Community for making him the Chairman of the occasion, said the gesture is an indication of the harmonious relationship between NCAC and the Chinese diplomatic, business and cultural community in Nigeria, which according to him has continued to flourish under his leadership as the Director General of the Council, President World Crafts Council, African Region as well as Chairman, Africa-China Culture and Arts Exchange Society.
NCAC and the Chinese community, the Director General pointed out have played host to each other in numerous activities, functions and engagements, including the International Arts and Crafts (INAC) Expo, Diplomatic Dinner, 50th Anniversary Celebration of Establishing Bilateral Diplomatic Relationship between Nigeria and China, 100 Years Celebration of the Communist Party of China (CPC) among others.
He commended the entire Chinese Community in Nigeria for it laudable contributions and commendable interventions,most significantly those engagements and exchanges being implemented by the Chinese Community, which impact directly on the core mandate of NCAC.
Runsewe cited the SGEL Cup Chinese Wushi Championship Final Performance, which is first of its kind in Nigeria, adding that the agency look forward to sustaining such programmes, activities and initiatives in the future.
He also thanked the organisers for the scholarships extended to schools and students, adding the “this will definitely enhance access to education and learning in Nigeria.”
