NCAC, Niger military strengthens cultural relations- Runsewe

By Mashe Umaru Gwamna

The Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said Nigerian and Niger military have strengthened cultural relations in the cross boarder line communities.

Runsewe made the disclosure during a courtesy visit of the Niger Republic Higher Military School delegation of senior Military Officers from the Superior Military College in Niger Republic who were in his office in Abuja, as part of their study tour to Nigeria at the weekend.

He stated that, the existing bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic has helped tremendously in tackling trans-border insecurity, illegal arms importation and smuggling.

“Niger’s bilateral relationship with Nigeria, has played a role in the interception of a large arm smuggling carrier into Nigeria in 2019. Both shared 1960’s as independence and this collaboration have yielded positive results in cross boarder lines communities.

“NCAC as giant of culture, has been promoting unity among all security forces military and Police forces. NCAC also promoted the NDLEA for the fact that the agency is working to eradicate drug use among our youths. Anything that promotes Nigerian culture, we are delighted and ready to support.

“ Nigeria should count itself lucky that when any country is coming for interventions and strategies,it looks for Nigeria for such idea. The Niger republic see us as big brothers in Africa and we have accommodated each other.

“ The military shouldn’t always be about fighting always, it should be about what unity us that is what the came to do today”, he said . According to Runsewe, Nigeria is also promoting peaceful coexistence strategies in the community.

“The Niger military said they have taken some cultural peaceful strategies to be taken back to their country”.

He added that culture is key in our day to day activities, that is why NCAC is bringing Nigeria Military closer, bringing closer its citizens.

Meanwhile, the team leader of the Niger Republic military delegates in Nigeria, Col Abdulrasak Ibrahim said “culture is very crucial to security because as military members, we work in areas where cultures differ.

“So, there is need for us as military men to understand the different cultures for successful military operations in any country”.

He explained that, “Our presence is also an opportunity to appreciate the Nigerian culture we have always heard about. We are here to take a piece of Nigerian culture to integrate with ours”, Ibrahim emphasized.