Shettima: FG ‘ll Increase Funding for Arts, Creative Industry for Enhanced Productivity

•Minister says target is to increase revenue from sector to N100bn

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

The federal government yesterday assured practitioners in the creative and entertainment industry of the present administration’s support to enable it  take its rightful place as Africa’s creative powerhouse.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who gave the assurance at the Art, Culture and Creative Economy Roundtable, at the State House, Abuja, also apologised to the art and creative industry for the lack of interest shown by successive governments over the years.

Shettima, noted that Nigerian artists and creatives have continued to make their marks on the world stage, winning awards and bringing in financial returns in foreign currencies.

While hailing the industry and its drivers for their contributions to the nation’s growth, the vice president said it was the positive portrayals of the country in the various creative works like movies, music and other works of art that most of the negative narratives about the country have been corrected.

He however, assured the industry of Tinubu to remedy the past neglect, part of which was the roundtable convened, further assuring them that the president is in tune with realities in the industry, especially the fact that it is a critical segment of the global economy.

 “It is through your talents that we refused the caricatured image and unveiled the true essence of Nigeria’s creative minds. So on behalf of the Nigerian government, allow me to extend our profound and sincere gratitude.

“Thankfully, our president, my boss, is the architect of the nation’s entertainment hub and there’s a reason your industry refers to him as ‘City Boy’. The president is not only cosmopolitan, a man of arts and culture, in tune with the realities of your industry, but he has also acknowledged your industry is a critical segment of the global economy.

“This roundtable discussion isn’t just for us to chart a course that celebrates our past achievements, it is for us to pave the way for an even brighter, more inclusive and prosperous future for Nigeria’s creative economy,” he said.

Earlier, the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu  Musawa, while introducing her roadmap to the roundtable, unveiled five targeted objectives to be achieved.

According to her , one of them is the economic plan, which she said, aims to create millions of jobs and contribute 10 per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at about N100 billion.

She also unveiled the ministry’s vision and agenda for the creative sector, which is partly encapsulated in the ‘Destination 2023, Nigeria Everywhere’ initiative – a soft power programme to showcase Nigeria’s abundant talents in the creative sector.

According to her, the plan is to firmly establish Nigeria as the leading global hub for arts, culture and creativity, noting that “with this initiative, we are going to change the narrative about Nigeria globally.”

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer, Prembly, Mr Lanre Ogungbe, said Nigeria’s creative industry was one of most vibrant all over the world.

He, therefore, expressed hope that the industry could impact million of people positively.

Also speaking, Managing Director, Providus Bank, Mr Walter Akpani, said the industry had not only been creative in creating jobs, but had also projected a new image of recognition for the country across the world as well as bring in foreign exchange.

He projected that the creative and entertainment industry could raise N250 billion by 2030.

In his comments, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim  Hadejia, said the Tinubu administration was committed to the development of the arts and creative industry because of its interconnection with job creation.