By Lawrence Olaoye, with agency report
Sen. Hassan Barata, Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, on Saturday said the National Assembly (NASS) would deploy necessary legislative tools to strengthen the cultural industry in Nigeria.
Barata said this at the closing ceremony of the 6th edition of African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC), organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
He said that proper legislation would make AFAC a rallying point that was second to none amongst arts and culture events in Africa.
"AFAC 2013 is part of the tools through which the culture sector has entrenched itself as a major contributor to the nation's drive for jobs creation and youth empowerment towards economic transformation.
"It is, therefore, significant to note that AFAC 2013 has shown improvement in all parameters when compared to the previous ones.
"With 17 countries coming into Abuja with over 250 exhibitors and officials from Africa and beyond, especially China, South Korea and Pakistan, it is a positive omen for Nigeria's cultural diplomacy for Africa economic integration,'' he said.
Barata said the expansion in volume of participation was accompanied with increase in quality, standard and packaging.
He commended the foreign delegates, exhibitor and participants from Nigeria, especially the states, local governments, NGO's and higher institutions for making AFAC 2013 a huge success.
Chief Edem Duke, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, said AFAC had the potentials to develop creative talents, promote empowerment and enhance national peace and international understanding.
"As organisers of the expo, we are confident that AFAC 2013 has set a new benchmark to develop the industry.
"We believe that when fully developed, it will be one of the instruments to promote international peace in line with the spirit of ECOWAS and African Union.
"We have confirmed that AFAC has increased both domestic and international traffic to Abuja in the last seven days of this expo,'' he said.
Duke commended President Goodluck Jonathan for giving the sector a pride of place in the execution of his transformation agenda.
Earlier, Mr Mwajim Maidugu, the Executive Secretary, NCAC, said that the event had recorded tremendous improvement in terms of packaging, presentation and standard of products.
"A critical look at the pavilions reveals the height of creativity and ingenuity of Nigerians and Africans complemented by the presence of their professional colleagues from other parts of the world,'' he said.
Maidugu commended the Federal Government for the support and interest in the sector, noting that through the support the sector was rapidly taking its place as the avenue for job creation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event ended with presentation of certificate of participation to countries, states and institutions.(NAN)
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