Stakeholders laud Runsewe on composition of sub-Committees

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

 

Barely few weeks after the inauguration of the Central Implementation Committee for creative industry intervention by Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Otunba Segun Runsewe who is chairman of the Committee, has drawn up a comprehensive list of sub-Committees to capture the entire gamut of the sector, with intent to address the needs and expectations of the players.

The 13 sub-Committees are drawn from Culture and Tourism, Media, Nollywood, Writers, Travel professionals, Tourist boat operators, Hotels, Resort owners, Artists, ICT, Fashion designers among others.

Director-General National Council for Arts Culture (NCAC) Otunba Runsewe stated that time has come for the industry to build bridges and work together for the speedy growth of the sector and to benefit Nigerian people. He praised the minister for the selfless and committed service to the industry and for helping to reposition the industry by putting together the framework to address the immediate and future impact of COVID-19 on the industry.

He noted that the creative sector is very broad and massive in content and context, hence the need to approach the implementation of post COVID-19 interventions with all hands on deck in  order to avoid rancour and divisive  sentiments, which could jeopardise the progressive intentions of the Federal Government and stall efforts to build a formidable and competitive industry.

The all-inclusive and broad composition of sub-Committees on the implementation of creative industry intervention Otunba Runsewe has attracted commendations from stakeholders in the industry.

President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Susan Akporiare shared the vision  behind the setting up the 13 sub-Committees, adding that it’s only Runsewe that has proven over the years  to give  answers to the many challenges confronting the industry in Nigeria.

“I am more than excited and must commend the minister for appointing a workaholic and an achiever in Runsewe to implement the post COVID-19 interventions. He is the right man for this job and the unveiling of the sub-Committees revealed the strategic agenda to keep the industry united and vibrant post COVID.” Nanta president explained.

To John Likita Best, a frontline industry player and Trustee of Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria ( ATPN), Runsewe has by the effort shown he is a game changer and grassroot industry administrator with  enduring mobilisation abilities and eyes to see tomorrow.

“We know he will bring about the needed changes and as he has done in the past, this dream to carry everybody and all shades of opinion along is a master stroke. We know him and will support this process to succeed,” Mr Best added.

Arts Editor of The Nation Newspapers, Mr Ozolua Uhakheme stated that the effort is a strategy out of the box and an indication that Runsewe has a grounded understanding of the fragile and sensitive nature of the industry, which has struggled to make socio-economic impact in the trajectory of the national rebound economically.

“‘We in the media know Runsewe will not fail the industry and the nation at large. He has discharged his national assignment with creativity and sense of responsibility. His records in the culture industry speak volume, particularly the robust approach and response to COVID-19 impact on the industry without which the cultural agenda would have lost focus. We pray that the various committees will live up to expectations because Runsewe is self-driven and would expect some serious inputs and hard work. My fear is that Runsewe is a sprinter on ideas and it takes a measure of commitment to catch up with him,” he noted.