Runsewe Honoured as “Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism” – A Call for Action

At a glittering ceremony at the Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers on October 23, Otunba Segun Runsewe – former Director‑General of both the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) – was presented with the “Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism” award by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET)

The honour, which drew applause from industry leaders, former Minister of Tourism and Culture Frank Ogbuewu, and ANJET President Okorie Uguru, was framed as a tribute to a man many regard as the conscience of Nigerian tourism. Uguru explained that the award recognises those who built the foundations of today’s tourism visibility and who now serve as custodians of the sector’s institutional memory

A Reality Check Instead of Applause
True to his outspoken reputation, Runsewe used his acceptance speech not to bask in praise but to deliver a stark reality check. “There are too many talks in tourism – no action. We speak big English and return home,” he told the hall, prompting murmurs of agreement. He admitted he had deliberately stepped back from public speaking because discussions rarely translate into tangible outcomes

Runsewe recalled a historic moment when former President Olusegun Obasanjo led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago, putting Nigeria on the global cultural map. He urged the current generation to move beyond rhetoric and turn those moments into lasting impact.

Religious Tourism: An Untapped Goldmine
One of the most striking parts of his speech highlighted the economic potential of religious tourism. Runsewe pointed out that the late Prophet T.B. Joshua’s conferences regularly drew over 20 private jets to Nigerian airports – a clear sign of a thriving religious‑tourism market that remains largely uncommercialised. “We have the data; the failure to structure and market this is a national loss,” he warned

Runsewe emphasised that tourism, after agriculture, is the world’s largest employer of labour. “If we take it seriously, no Nigerian child should be jobless,” he said, urging policymakers to treat the sector as an economic lifeline rather than a peripheral activity

He also took a moment to acknowledge former Minister Frank Ogbuewu, who accepted the invitation despite initial reluctance. “It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime we are being appreciated,” Runsewe said

The award ceremony served as both a celebration and a mirror, reflecting the gap between Nigeria’s creative potential and the structural, policy‑driven actions needed to realise it. Runsewe left the audience with a clear message: tourism is not merely about culture, festivals or travel; it is an economic lifeline waiting to be activated.

As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy and strengthen the naira, the insights from Runsewe’s speech underscore a simple truth – the country’s cultural and religious assets can revamp the economy, but only if they are matched with decisive, action‑oriented policies. The challenge now lies in turning those words into concrete projects that create jobs, boost revenue and showcase Nigeria’s rich heritage to the world.