GLOBAL SWEETHEART… RUNSEWE EMERGES PRESIDENT OF WORLD CRAFT COUNCIL
Like the saying goes, the apple does not fall far from the tree. Apart from the striking resemblance between father and son, Emeka Odumegwu Jnr, scion of the late Biafra warlord, Ikemba Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, is taking after his legendary father ’ s prodigious propensity and appetite for women. Hitherto married to one of the daughters of late novelist and author of children’s books, Cyprian Ekwensi, the couple separated over a decade ago due to what sources described as their inability to have kids. Emeka’s estranged wife is now based in the United States. Recently, the younger Ojukwu married a much younger Otito Valerie Egbuchiem in a wellattended ceremony in Anambra State. The guests- only ceremony had in attendance many political and industrial heavyweights, many of who still hold Emeka’s father, the late Ikemba, in awe. In her early 20s, Otito attended Federal Government Girls College, Onitsha and graduated from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Otito is friends with Ada Ufondu, also in her 20s, who became one of the wives of billionaire oil magnate, Emeka Offor. Emeka and Otito’s wedding brings back memories of Ojukwu’s marriage to beauty queen, Bianca Onoh, who was his friend, the former Anambra Governor, Christian Onoh’s daughter. The two friends became sworn enemies thereafter but were reconciled long before death came calling. Before he decided to take by the hand Bianca, the woman who would spend his twilight years with him, the Oxford- trained silver spoon who became a warlord had been married to Njideka and later, Stella Onyeador, both of who died in 2010.
There is a sphinx- like quality to Olusegun Runsewe. His genius burns with electricity that that no earthly contrivance could tame. Wherever he finds himself, Runsewe parades his smarts at astounding depths. As the new DirectorGeneral of National Council for Arts and Culture ( NCAC), Runsewe is transforming the culture and arts industry into a globally acclaimed treasure trove.
In a manner reminiscent of his exploits as the National Tourism Development Corporation ( NTDC) boss, Runsewe has taken significant steps to reposition the cultural industries as the nation’s next cash cow. However, Runsewe has emerged as the president of World Craft Council ( WCC), African Region.
Runsewe emerged during the meeting of the Executive Board in London on April 19 to 20, 2018.
His emergence was formally conveyed to him via a letter from Rosy Greenless, the international president of the Council, dated 14th May, 2018.
The World Craft Council is a Non- Governmental Professional Organization affiliated with UNESCO, category A, which has responsibility for the regulation and development and promotion of the handcrafts in the world.
It has five Regional Chapters: Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and America.
Each region is headed by a president who oversees the affairs of the council; coordinates the activities of all countries within the region.
Hardly anyone would forget his successful tenure as NTDC boss. There is no gainsaying Runsewe supervised the positive turnaround of the corporation from a moribund national agency into a global tourist attraction and revenue earner.
In the same vein, Runsewe has revealed his intention to re- organise the programmes and activities of the NCAC along an entrepreneurial perspective with a view to exploring the merchandising opportunities associated with them. He intends to establish mechanisms that would transform the sector by empowering local artists, craftsmen and women, to take control of this industry and make the best of its interminable opportunities.
No doubt the NCAC is set to experience a radical but positive transformation under the leadership of Runsewe, its new boss. As Nigeria waits with baited breath for the changes to kick in, stakeholders in the culture industries are experiencing a resurgence of hope and progressive dreams that synergize with the vision of the new arts and culture council boss.