THE 5th African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC 2012), may have come and gone, but its memory, particularly in term of significant increase in foreign participation will continue to linger on.Before the official opening ceremony, which held on June 7, many African countries including Ghana, Mali, Republic of Benin, Togo, Namibia, Chad, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea Conakry and The Gambia, had arrived the Eagle Square, new venue of the expo. Also in attendance were Pakistan, Philippine, South Korea and India.Although sales commenced earlier, market came to a full swing after the official opening ceremony. With an impressive participation of the private sector and non-governmental organizations, various items including local fabrics, interior decorations, jewelries, locally manufactured electronics, shoes, bags, crafts as well as herbal medicine were on display. The rich traditional cuisines of the African people also featured at the expo.Food fair has become one of the side attractions that feature consistently since the start of the expo in 2008. This year, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Kebbi and Kano states took part in the exhibition. Also contesting alongside Nigerian states was Cameroon. The chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Hassan Barata, who declared the fair open, believed that Nigeria could export its cuisines considering its rich nutritional value.Following his tour of the exhibition ground, Barata, who was represented by one of the committee members, Senator Abubakar Umar Tutare, expressed the need for legislative and financial support to boost subsequent editions of the expo.Regrettably, this year's edition witnessed the poorest turnout of states and local government participation in the country since inception. Only about 17 states participated and out of this number, none came from the South East region. In fact, among local participants, the expo was dominated by northern states, including Kano, Gombe, Sokoto, Taraba, Jigawa, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger and Kebbi states. Only Cross River and Akwa Ibom states came from the South-South while Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states attended from the South West region.While some people blamed the continuous decline in the participation of South East states at national art and culture events in the recent times to lack of funds, others believed it was not unconnected to the prevailing security situation in the North, which has created fear in the people.Although some states art directors, who spoke to The Guardian on phone, confirmed that their absence was due to lack of funds. They disclosed that most state governors, especially those of the South East and South-South states do not understand the economic importance of the culture sector and as such, often decline requests to approve funding for cultural outings.Even Kwara State, which was adjudged the most consistent state at the last year's National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST 2011), in Calabar, was conspicuously absent at the expo. It was also gathered that the state needed enough time and concentration to prepare for the oncoming NAFEST 2012 scheduled to hold in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital later this year.The domineering presence of foreign participants from both public and private sectors not only enhanced the regional and perhaps, global status of the expo, but also provided them the opportunity of making more sales as they counted their gains at the close of event.Generally, there was an improvement in this year's outing. Even with the low turnout of most states and some private operators in the arts and crafts industry, attendance was encouraging and more sales recorded.A cross section of participants equally commended the organisers for the choice of venue. The expo has held four consecutive times at the Old Parade Ground until this year, when Eagle Square was considered more strategic for the general public, who may wish to attend the fair.Aminu Ya'u was from the Republic of Niger. He was attending the expo for the fourth time and he commended the organisers for the change of venue, which he said, was spacious, strategically located and accessible.'I like this location because it is bigger and cleaner. So, my customers don't have to go round and round before locating me. They only need to stand in the middle of the arena and look at the labels on top the booths to find my pavilion.'He also regretted not coming with enough wares, having enjoyed tremendous patronage. 'I regret not bringing as much silver jewelry as in the past because I actually have more people, who have visited or patronised me this year. I hope the organisers will continue to hold subsequent editions here.'Mrs. Matilda Prah, who came from Ghana, though impressed with the turnout, complained about the poor quality of pavilions, which she claimed might have some health implications.'I heard from my friends who have been coming for the last four years. So I decided to come and testify and see things for myself.Adding: 'It has been very well. I only have a problem with the way our booths were built and the materials used. I know that these things give cancer and are usually used in warehouses where they are very high up in the building. The heat is quite unbearable.'Declaring the expo closed on June 14, Senator Barata said the fact that AFAC draws its participation from the grassroots makes it possible for cross fertilization of ideas, which would enable operators to perfect their skills and technology needed to bring arts and crafts products to internationally acceptable standard.Through the expo, the lawmaker reiterated, the country tends to promote global and regional unity and integration as stipulated in the African Union Charter.'With the involvement of international participation, AFAC lends itself as a tool for Nigeria to draw other African countries to herself and give them a hand of friendship and assistance, which is vital to Nigeria's position within the continent.'The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) organisers of AFAC, Mr. Mwajim M. Maidugu, expressed delight over the improved quality of products at the expo.'You will agree with me that a tour of the exhibition depicts the height of creativity and ingenuity of Nigerians and indeed Africans at large. I am particularly convinced beyond doubt that the 5th edition of the African Arts and Crafts Expo with the theme, Promoting the Arts and Crafts Industry for Economic Transformation, has been a huge success', he said.Participants were issued certificates at the close of events while the contributions of some groups to the overall success of the expo were also duly acknowledged.
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