Nigeria cultural tourism community witnessed its first
successful count down to a post covid 19 new normal engagement with a drive- in
artistic experience, held at the open grounds of Sheraton hotels, Abuja on
Sunday.
The event, shoveled with very tight security, social
distancing and a must wear mask protocols, ushered in selected car owners
strategically connected to a special program frequency for sound, dedicated
pavilions and over forty visitors convenience.
The well illuminated and decorated open theatre stand
was centralized and visible from all directions and angles, with the thespians
observing the approved protocols, with the Abuja hotel staff serving guests
with snacks and beverages at intervals and fully following the established
hygiene protocols.
Beamed on NCAC zoom, Instagram, Facebook and other
social media page accounts, the presence and on the spot coverage by notable
Nigerian television stations added to the glamorous experiment. The print media
not also left out.
As wont with Runsewe NCAC post covid creative offensive
efforts, the drive in open theater was geared towards perfecting the upcoming
National Festival of Arts and Culture (nafest) slated for Jos in October.
With the digital interaction attracting over 18
countries, with ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago, venuzuela, India, Pakistan
and China, the template for Nigeria's come back to life post covid was on
showcase.
Added to the live theatre experiment, was a clinical
driven pre and post fumigation the event ground and facilities, with a special
attention paid to the the dedicated pavilion for the photo journalists and
television camera personnel.
Otunba Segun Runsewe, expressed happiness at the
encouraging presence of Nigerians and culture enthusiasts who graced the
occasion, adding that Nigeria has once again made statements that life has
returned in the country post covid 19.
"We are a big country and we shall continue to
prepare and not relax. Covid 19 may have impacted on the cultural tourism
businesses worldwide but in Nigeria, we are back on the beat, we are going to
overcome challenges and put the right foot forward. A country with 36 states
and a federal capital, ready to come together in a cultural show of force
slated for Jos in October, cannot take anything for granted." he
explained.
On the showcase of the iconic culture and tourism
destinations in Nigeria, the DG of NCAC stated that the effort powered at the
end of each performance, is to add value to the business of promoting Nigeria
and her people.
"Each performance comes up at the end with a
dedicated video playback of selected destinations and iconic cultural offerings
to spice additional information about any state on showcase. We also got the
Nigerian media backing because we understand the reach and usefulness of
keeping the government and people informed of how ready we are in this whole
process."
Ogbeide Ihama, chairman, House committee on culture
congratulated Runsewe on the frontal drive-in effort, noting that NCAC has more
than justified its corporate relevance and contributions to the advancement of
Nigerian cultural tourism beyond covid 19.
"Runsewe once again has shown capacity. He was not
waiting to be told what to do but has shown everyone how to rise above the fears
of the pandemic. He is futuristic and proactive, no doubt Nafest 2020 in Jos is
a reality. The national assembly, the house committee on culture in particular,
is proud to be associated with this outing and with Runsewe NCAC, Honorable
Ihama noted.
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