The highs and lows of AFAC 2012

As soon as the arena opened to participants most of them set up their pavilions and were fully organized at the time of the opening ceremony. Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Hassan Barata, declared the fair open, with the belief that Nigeria could export its cuisines considering its rich nutritional value. This […]

As soon as the arena opened to participants most of them set up their pavilions and were fully organized at the time of the opening ceremony. Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Hassan Barata, declared the fair open, with the belief that Nigeria could export its cuisines considering its rich nutritional value.

This year, competing at the food fair was not strictly a Nigerian affair as the Cameroonians gave contending states Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Niger, Kebbi and Kano a run for their money. Following his tour of the exhibition ground, Barata, who was represented by one of the committee members, Senator Abubakar Umar Tutare said there was need for legislative and financial support to boost subsequent editions of the expo.

Declaring the expo closed, 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 said, “Nigeria 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, was happy over the improved quality of products at the expo.

Maidugu said “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.” Following a November 2011 meeting in Abuja of ECOWAS ministers of Culture, the institution is focusing more on the development of cultural industries in member states. This is in order to proffer solutions to the challenges confronting the region’s cultural industries, job creation, income generation, poverty alleviation and restore the dignity of West Africans.

In this light, Dr. Adrienne Diop, ECOWAS commissioner in charge of Human Development and Gender commended Nigeria and its Culture ministry for promoting ECOWAS objectives spoke at the opening. She explained through her representative that “ECOWAS is technically, financially and otherwise supportive of her member States and it is very gratifying to note that Nigeria is already way ahead in championing this cause.”

Unlike previous editions this year’s event saw more countries in attendance, more locally fabricated wares as well as a lot of ingenuity and original creations on display.

One of such was Exclusive Wardrobes recognized as one of the best original creations. Among the various art and craft works were textiles, woodworks of multiple and exotic designs, household utensils, interior decorating materials, medicinal and electrical items. Also making big statements were Abuja’s mat-weaving women and Cameroun’s brick-maker, Pierre Kousouma using waste polythene bags and sand.

Nigerien silver jewelry merchant, Aminu Ya’u, a fourth timer 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. My customers don’t have to go round and round before they find me as was the case at the Old Parade Ground. They only need to stand in the middle of the arena and look at the labels on top the booths to find my own.”

He regretted not bringing as much silver jewelry as in the past because he thought it would be business as usual. “This year, I actually have more people who have visited and/or patronised me and I am selling very fast. I hope that the organisers will continue future editions here.”

First timer, Mrs. Matilda Prah, who came from Ghana, though impressed with the turnout, complained about the poor quality of the exhibition booths, 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 see things for myself.

On day three when our reporter visited her she said, “Sales and exposure have gone very well so far. I am a lot more educated on the Nigerian fashion sense and I am happy I took a gamble to bring the kind of things I did. 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.”

Another first-timer Princess Jaji, an Utako Market trader in Edmark products, also heard from a neihgbour who attends almost all the trade fairs. “Generally in the market it is very, very slow so I was up for any opportunity to help me. I decided to come out and see what is happening to our economy as far as business is concerned.”

Jaji said her expectations were for the Expo to give her business a breakthrough which she claims it did.  “In the first two days I had made cash sales of over N180, 000 and registered 33 new members on my network. Normally in the market it would take me almost six months to make this is cash.

Aside the pavilions which were mounted by different states of the federation, the international segment also paraded neighbouring countries like Cameroun, Ghana, Senegal, Republic of Benin, Niger and Mali.

A usual hot spot for most women at AFAC is the stand where they can replenish on ‘woman power’. But this time the location was not easily recognizable as Hajia— seemed to have picked a smaller booth sandwiched amongst others, changed the banner, colours, containers holding the ‘condiments’ and general outlook. This time the banner read: ‘Yakumbo Temple 4 Women: Bed, perfume, skin treatment, frames and supplement for women kayan mata’.

Regardless, the female folk still swam to her in droves as a few men were also seen purchasing some wares. When asked why he was the one doing the buying instead of his wife Mal Ibrahim Tanko said amidst hearty laughter, “It’s better for my face to be seen than hers before people start thinking she came here to buy ‘jazz’ to tie me down. So if I am the one buying such jazz it means I am submitting myself to be tied down.”

Interestingly the women were a mixed race discretely planning their attacks in whispers, dramatic facial expressions and gestures. As our reporter approached them and introduced herself, they either gave her their backs or covered their faces with veils some saying in English, “No, no, no…, go. Don’t come and expose us again, and others in Hausa, Daily Trust, me take so a nan? (Daily Trust, what does she want here? ”

Although there was an impressive participation of countries as well as NGOs and the private sector, there were only about fifteen states in attendance with most being from the North, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Taraba, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa. Others were Lagos, Osun, Ekiti and Oyo states from the South-West with Cross River and Akwa Ibom states from the South-South. The South-Eastern states were conspicuously absent particularly with no displays of Ibo craftsmanship at the outing.

There was speculation that the continuous decline in the participation of South East states at national art and culture events in the recent times was as a result of lack of funds, some others believed it was not unrelated to the situation of insecurity in the North.

Anabel Ezube, an Abuja resident said, “I have visited every day since the opening because it is a much better organisation than previous editions. This time I have also bought more than I usually would because I have easily accessed the booths without the mushiness of Old Parade Ground.

“I have come alone today and at other times with my family and we have all had a good time on each visit.”

In spite of all said and the commendations, many still complained that a lot more needed to be done in terms of publicity. Participants were issued certificates at the close of the Expo.