Minister of arts, culture and creative economy, Hon Hannatu Musawa has urged stakeholders in the Arts and culture industry to support the new initiatives of the new ministry geared to move the ministry in the positive direction for economic growth.
Musawa who weighed in on the lofty progress and global success that Nigeria musicians and movies have attained in recent times, noted that these gains would be leveraged upon and be consolidated.
She urged all stakeholders in the creative sector to join her in seizing the moment to develop infrastructure and create a sustainable ecosystem where arts and creatives can flourish. She pointed out that “arts and culture plays a crucial and critical role to create jobs and economic value beyond what we can even imagine”
The Minister of creative economy who was a guest speaker on Thursday at one of the sessions titled ‘Mining Nigeria’s Creative Goldmine’ of Entertainment Weekly Lagos holding at Livespot Emporium, Lekki, lauded the organisers for this impactful event, and stated that her ministry, since she was appointed three months, has been brainstorming on how best to re-position the industry.
Speaking via zoom from Abuja, the solicitor and former deputy spokesperson and Deputy Director of Public Affairs of the All Progressives Congress APC, addressing the audience made up of young creatives, producers and the media, said, “I want to acknowledge the key milestones and the success that the industry has attained globally. This is a testament of the resilience and unwavering dedication of our artistes and movie makers which
has ushered in a new global era where arts, culture and creativity is not only our mainstay and what we are known for but a driving force which has fostered unprecedented economic growth which has further impacted on the global economy.
“Nigeria as a nation is experiencing its own creative and cultural relations, one that has seen successful export of our vibrant culture which is a reflection of our creative output. Our passion in music, movies and our literature has caused the global audience to be increasingly obsessed with our influence and our own global pop culture. As you shape this narrative through our potential, let us use this power just like the athlete who the world watches.
“We must seize the moment to develop infrastructure and create a sustainable ecosystem where arts and creatives can flourish. The arts and culture and creative economy present a golden opportunity for our nation, especially now that we seek innovative solutions to our challenges. Arts and culture plays a crucial and critical role to create jobs and economic value beyond what we can even imagine.
“As a repository of our people’s identity, we must shape the narrative and plot the kind of passion and determination that will see our great nation succeed. We here at the Ministry of Culture in the creative economy have been working tirelessly to create the right framework and in different initiatives that will propel us beyond an upward growth leap to a position of dominance in global cultural affairs.
“As a people, we are yet to bring the full spectrum of our creativity, the world’s attention on music and fashion are already at the forefront of conversation all over the world.
“ call on you to join my team and I on this journey of redefining Nigeria’s creative and cultural space, fully support our efforts to have Nigeria occurred to me as a permanent fixture on the world stage Nexus continue to push on me and celebrate our diversity and leverage the power of creativity to write a new chapter of Nigerian excellence in the global stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I want to assure you of mine and our unwavering support and commitments as a group and the development of the entertainment industry. We are committed to developing the necessary infrastructure, promoting access to funding and resources and championing inclusivity and diversity within the industry.”
Earlier, the panelists on ‘Mining Nigeria’s Creative Goldmine’ spoke on the need to leverage and consolidate on the recent success of the entertainment industry and need to know what the creative economy is all about and out boundaries in developing the value chains within the creative sector. Hosted by Ken Anyanwu, the panelists include, founder of Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF, Chioma Ude; writer and former special assistant to ex-President Buhari on Digital media, Tolu Ogunlesi; author, interior designer and CEO of Essential Media Group, Titi Ogufere.
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