AFAC 2017: NCAC set to unveil official attire and hairdo

All is now set for the unveiling of the official hair style and dress code for the 10th edition of the African Arts and Craft Expo (AFAC) holding, August 27 to September 17, this year.

The Director-General of the Council, Otunba Segun Runsewe, made this declaration while receiving members of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN) at the headquarters of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja as preparations for the Expo hits top gear.

Runsewe, while discussing with the FADAN members, announced the endorsement of ‘Abahi’ hair style typically adorned by the Benue people of North-central Nigeria affirming that the beautifully styled hairdo will make a very strong cultural statement during AFAC and stimulate the creativity of Nigerians.

The NCAC boss also identified possible ways the association and its members can partner with the Council starting with AFAC to create thousands of jobs which will translate to massive improvement in both the local and national economy while empowering the youths to become entrepreneurs.

He stressed that fashion remains a huge global industry capable of enhancing the socio-economic condition of the country in terms of employment generation while advising members of FADAN to work on their corporate brand identity and ensure greater cooperation sighting instances abroad where Designers form partnerships to create unique attires.

Otunba Runsewe promised to give the Association a Stand during AFAC challenging them to maximize the opportunity and create an outstanding AFAC designer outfit that will epitomize the cultural heritage of Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation and Coordinator of FADAN in Abuja, Fatima Sule said the group visited the Council to reaffirm their support for the DG and his management seizing the opportunity to appeal to Runsewe in assisting them secure accommodation at the Arts and Craft village to make their work easier.

She also advanced the need to relax the stringent conditions put in place by banks to ease access to soft loans by Fashion Designers while also advocating for a friendlier visa regime to enable members secure visas in order to participate in international exhibitions.

In a separate development, the Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) has bestowed ambassadorial status on the DG, NCAC.