NCAC seeks partnership with South Korea on art, culture exchanges

The need to further establish and reinforce the mutual cultural relationship that exists between South Korea and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Federal Government of Nigeria that dates as far back as 2010 should be explored for the benefit of mutual cultural benefits for both countries.

Segun Runsewe, director-general, National Council for Arts and Culture, stated this when Young Chae, ambassador, Republic of South Korea, paid him a courtesy visit in his office.

Runsewe noted that Nigeria has benefited a lot from the mutual relationship with South Korea in areas of education, poverty eradication, trade and many more. Adding that the trade between the two countries as at 2011, was well over $3 million.

At the meeting held at NCAC headquarters in Abuja, Runsewe took his time to inform the South Korean Ambassador on the International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), the forthcoming programme of NCAC, and also sought participation of South Korea.

He also sought partnership with the Republic of South Korea in organizing a joint exhibition in Nigeria and in South Korea noting that this will be very rewarding to both countries.

In his response, The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, stated that the embassy of South Korea will be interested in a joint programme for school children and other cultural programmes that will make Koreans to understand Nigerians better. He proposed a joint food festival, as well as an arts and crafts exhibition later in the year.

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On capacity building, Runsewe told the South Korea Ambassador to Nigeria that the need for capacity building for NCAC staff on seminars, workshops and conferences on arts and culture, festivals, exchange visits and exhibitions between South Korea and NCAC cannot be overemphasized.

The Ambassador responded that the Korean cultural centre will soon be upgraded so that NCAC can use it to project Nigerian films and programmes.

He promised to work with NCAC to achieve a sustainable mutual understanding between South Korea and Nigeria.