The Federal Government has expressed readiness to partner the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and United Nations Industrial Development Organisation(UNIDO) to boost the nation’s creative industry.
Amb. Mariam Katagum, Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, made this known in Abuja when she received a concept note on development of cultural and creative industry from a joint delegation from UNESCO and UNIDO.
The joint delegation was led by the Regional Director, UNESCO Regional Office, Abuja, Ydo Yao.
Katagum in a statement signed by Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa, Assistant Director, Press Unit of the ministry, said the government would create enabling environment for the industry to thrive.
The minister described creative industry as an area that should be explored to stimulate economic growth, foreign direct investment as well as export of Made in Nigeria Products.
“These are the kind of things the creative industry does, not only photo portrait, but fashion, entertainment, music, all the things that are artistic and practically created,” she said.
She said the federal government would continue to guarantee policies, programmes and initiatives that would attract and create enabling environment for investments to thrive and create economic value.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Nasir Sani- Gwarzo said the economic growth and development being experienced by developed countries were made possible by artisans.
Sani-Gwarzo said that artisans were catalysts to development, adding that the concept note would open up a new area of investment for Nigeria.
The leader of the joint delegation, also said the purpose of their visit was to present the concept note on cultural and creative industry to the ministry to have feedback on the best way to move the industry forward.
Yao said the organisations aimed at creating job opportunities for women and unemployed youths not only in Nigeria but Africa at large.
“UNESCO and UNIDO decided to come together to promote cultural and creative arts in the country.
“When you look at creativity and youths in Africa, it is sad that we are not exploiting it enough for job creation in Africa,” he regional director stated.
