A delegation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Defence College Course 10 says its visit to the headquarters of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) was to share cultural ideas.
The Head of the delegation, Col. Mobarak Al-Zaabi, said this on Thursday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NCAC, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, in Abuja.
Al-Zaabi added that the visit was to consolidate the existing diplomatic ties between UAE and Nigeria.
He described the visit as a study tour to Nigeria as part of the course requirements for participants in the area of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Music.
According to him, the visit forms part of the curriculum of the college which provides opportunity for the participants to undertake a tour of various countries, share cultural ideas and build strong diplomatic ties.
“The aim of this visit is to conduct research into areas of collaboration between Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates as well as understand the efforts and impacts of Nigerian government on regional and international stability through briefs and interactive sessions.”
He added that the participants were pleased to visit the home of culture in Nigeria and understudy how the country has been able to co-exist despite her multi-cultural differences.
According to him, this has aided human capital and economic development in the African sub-region.
He promised to implement the outcome of their visit as bedrock for cultural collaboration between both countries.
Responding, Runsewe, who is also the President, World Craft Council (WCC) African Region, expressed delight over the visit.
According to him, the visit will open vistas of cultural exchange and collaboration between the two countries.
He explained that apart from military hardware, it is also a step in the right direction for the military to undertake studies on the arts, culture and tourism sectors of other countries.
“The tour would provide a veritable platform for cultural diplomacy and tolerance around the world. He reiterated the need for harmony among various countries of the world,” he said.
Highpoint of the visit was presentation of cultural artefacts and souvenirs to the delegation.
NAN
