NCAC to raise 3 million culturefriendly supporters for Super Eagles

The National Council for Arts and Culture yesterday in Abuja announced plans to raise three million culture-friendly football lovers to support the Super Eagles during the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals taking place in Russia.

Director-General of the council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, who disclosed this, noted that it was time Nigeria use the tool of football and its abiding passion to promote and celebrate its rich culture internationally.

“It is noteworthy that 32 countries from all continents of the world would be competing for this pretigious trophy,” he said. “The implication of this is that the whole world will be gathered in Russia during the one month duration of this most important football fiesta.”

“It is therefore clear that apart from serving as a platform for displaying football talents, Russia 2018 is also a veritable avenue for all nations to showcase their strength and uniqueness in other areas.

“For far too long, we have under-employed the power of football and sports generally in promoting our culture, in promoting our arts, and in promoting our heroes. The time to start doing this, and in a big way, is now.

“Nobody will celebrate us for us; we have to do it ourselves. We must re- awaken the spirit of promoting and projecting our arts and cultural items in such a way that even domestic football will benefit.

“I have strong faith that we will raise even more than three million Nigerians who are ready to project our culture and wear the greenwhite-green anytime Nigeria is playing. We will also distribute miniature Nigerian flags to all these supporters. ”

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olusegun Odegbami (MON) lauded Runsewe for “opening a window to allow us to see that football is much more than playing a 90 -minute match,” adding that just like education, religion, politics and the economy, culture is one of the most potent instruments to dominate the world.”