Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), has been honoured with Nigerian Tourism, Culture Brand Icon award.
Runsewe was conferred with the award by the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) on Friday in Lagos.
In a statement by Runsewe’s Media Aide, Frank Meke, FTAN President, Nkereuwem Onung, said that the award was in recognition of Runsewe’s immense contribution to the growth of tourism and development of tourism, arts and culture in Nigeria.
Onung said the award would henceforth be an annual event to encourage other Nigerians in both the public and private sectors to always put in their best.
He said that the inaugural award marked the beginning of the event to be promoted by FTAN where other personalities in the tourism, arts and culture industry would be honoured.
Onung urged the Federal Government to pay special attention to the tourism, culture and art industry which was the most hit by COVID-19 pandemic.
He called for the provision of palliative from the Federal Government to cushion the impact of the pandemic on the industry.
Also speaking, Mrs Nike Okundaye of Nike Arts Gallery, lauded Runsewe’s doggedness and achievements in tourism, art and culture industry.
Mrs Susan Akporiaye, National President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), also lauded Runsewe’s impact on the travel business during his tenure as head of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).
Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General of Nigerian Football Supporters Club worldwide, praised Runsewe for his love and support for Nigerian Football by building Nigerian Tourism Villages during the World Cup in South Africa and Russia.
He announced that Runsewe would soon be honoured as the national patron of Nigerian Footballers Supporters Club.
Hon. Bonu Solomon, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Art and Culture, commended Runsewe for his leadership style, especially the honour of hosting the biggest National Festival of Art and Culture (NAFEST) in Lagos come 2022.
In his response, Runsewe commended FTAN for celebrating him alive.
He said the honour was a new beginning which was going to open great doors for Nigerian tourism and culture.
Runsewe noted that FTAN award was very unique in the sense that he was the only one singled out for the honour in the maiden edition of the award.
A documentary on the giant strides of Runsewe was shown to the guests during the award night.
The event was spiced up with performances from Nigeria’s Footballers Supporters Club, and other cultural dance groups.
– NAN
