Culture
NAFEST 2023 Deliberates Naira Boost Through Culture Repositioning
Published
1 year agoon
By
Lanre
The Nigerian government must reposition the country’s rich cultural resources if it wishes to massively grow the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Director General National Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Olusegun Runsewe stated this at the first day of the maiden edition of the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST)’s stakeholders conference holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The Director General while presenting a paper titled ” Culture As a Tool for Revamping the Economy : An Agenda Setting “ emphasised the importance of reassessing the cultural sector and implementing new strategies to align it with the federal government’s agenda.
Runsewe says: The culture sector has immense potential to boost the economy if properly harnessed.
The Nigerian government should prioritise skill acquisition training as part of efforts to equip the population with the necessary skills and capacities to become productive members of society. States in Nigeria must work towards developing cultural markets within their respective regions”. He said.
To accelerate cultural activities and enhance visibility, relevance and viability of the culture sector in Nigeria,
Runsewe calls on all stakeholders in the arts and culture sector to begin to apply more creative energies to optimising the huge potentials that abound.
“It is my hope that if our cultural resources are carefully harnessed and productively channelled, it will open up our cultural economy and engender rapid socio-economic growth.
“It would also lead to the emergence of a strong and stable currency that will command the required purchasing power at the international market,” He said.
To further support the development of the sector, Runsewe mentioned plans to leverage the intervention of the Bank of Industry (BOI). He noted that NCAC had entered into an agreement with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria to provide technical skills training to 3,700 youths in various fields.
The fields include hospitality, arts and crafts, elevator machine production and installation, mono-rail construction, branding, electric car repairs and more.
The day one of NAFEST 2023 witnessed inauguration of a committee to review NAFEST’s past 35 editions. Those that made the list were, Mr Dotun Osunsanya, a culture consultant, Mr Victor Omoniyi, Director with NCAC; Mr Ado Yahuza, Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) and some delegates from Yobe and Rivers states, to look into the review in the course of the four-day conference.
More so, delegates from 28 states of the federation and other stakeholders were segmented into 8 syndicate group to discuss extensively on how to further develop the culture and tourism sector. One of the 8 groups named the Skills Acquisition of NAFEST comprises delegates from, Katsina, Kano, Cross River, Lagos and Osun states.
Another group named E-Marketing, consists of delegates from Lagos, Edo, Ebonyi and Jigawa states as well as National President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies and National Association Nigeria Theatre Practitioners. Some other delegates were also selected to review aspects like: cultural exchange, synergy between tourism and culture, e-marketing and one state one product.
The Director General said a document will be produced from the groups discussions and sent to the Nigerian government to aid in revamping the sector.
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Culture
FG to develop diaspora city to reconnect Nigerians abroad
Published
5 days agoon
February 10, 2025By
Lanre
The Federal Government is developing Diaspora City to help Nigerians abroad invest and reconnect with their roots, Minister Hannatu Musawa announces.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to develop *Diaspora City*, a tourism and investment hub aimed at reconnecting Nigerians abroad with their roots.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, **Hannatu Musawa**, made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja during the launch of *Motherland 2025*, an initiative celebrating Nigeria’s cultural heritage and economic potential.
According to Musawa, the project goes beyond tourism—it aims to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and its diaspora while fostering cultural exchange and national development.
“Our vision extends beyond attracting global visitors; it is about ensuring that the creative and tourism sectors serve as critical tools to improve the lives of the Nigerian people,” she stated.
The *Motherland 2025* initiative is designed as a fully immersive cultural experience, featuring **state pavilions, exhibitions, and showcases** that highlight Nigeria’s innovation, business landscape, and cultural heritage.
A key component of the project is the creation of *Diaspora City*, which will serve as a **thriving tourism and investment hub** where members of the diaspora can seamlessly engage in economic activities, reconnect with their heritage, and settle in Nigeria.
“This year, we open our doors to the global diaspora, inviting them to immerse themselves in our rich traditions, explore investment opportunities, and witness the remarkable transformation unfolding across our nation,” Musawa added.
Chidinma Nwakwo, Managing Director of *Discover Motherland Africa*, described the initiative as a **transformative movement** aimed at deepening Nigeria’s connection with its diaspora while unlocking business and tourism opportunities.
“This is the beginning of a movement that not only reconnects Nigerians abroad with their roots but also fosters investment and cultural pride,” she said.
With *Motherland 2025* and the planned *Diaspora City*, Nigeria aims to position itself as the epicentre of **global Black and African culture, commerce, and community**.
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Culture
Governor Bassey Otu’s vision for Cross River: tourism, agriculture, digital economy
Published
1 week agoon
February 6, 2025By
Lanre
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, outlines his administration’s plans for economic growth, tourism development, food security, and digital transformation, emphasising shared prosperity and sustainability
Governor **Bassey Otu** has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to economic growth and tourism, particularly through the **2024 Calabar Carnival**, themed **”Shared Prosperity.”** Emphasising the need for **economic inclusivity**, he stated:
Also read: Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Abubakar Robert Ewa, Passes Away
> *“Unless there’s some equality of purpose in every society, there will be no peace… Shared prosperity is the key to achieving progress.”*
Despite **economic challenges**, Otu assured that the **Calabar Carnival** remains a **major cultural and economic event**, attracting investment and boosting local businesses.
Plans are also underway to **reintroduce the international segment** in the coming years, including a **diaspora band** to enhance global participation.
Tourism Development: Upgrading Cross River’s Attractions
Tourism remains central to Otu’s **economic blueprint**, with significant efforts being made to:
Upgrade **key tourism sites**
Enhance **hotel and transport infrastructure**
Train tourism professionals **locally and internationally**
Stabilise **product pricing** to encourage investment
The governor assured that **Obudu Ranch**, one of Nigeria’s premier resorts, is undergoing **a major restoration project** in partnership with **Marriott Hotels** and **international investors**.
*“We are bringing our tourism infrastructure to 21st-century standards, ensuring easy access to tourism sites and stabilising product prices,”* he said.
Tackling Hunger and Revamping Agriculture
Governor Otu has prioritised **food security**, acknowledging that agriculture was once **Nigeria’s economic backbone**. His administration is:
Conducting **soil mapping** to determine ideal crops
Launching a **5,000-hectare cassava farm pilot project**
Expanding **oil palm and cocoa farming**
Providing **microcredit schemes** for smallholder farmers
*“We are doing everything to revamp agriculture,”* Otu emphasised.
**Digital Economy: Training Youth for the Future**
Recognising the importance of **technology in economic transformation**, Otu is spearheading initiatives to:
Train **youth in digital skills**
Establish **technology incubation centres**
Integrate **agriculture with digital innovations**
Combat **cybercrime and ensure ethical tech practices**
*“The future lies in balancing digital advancements with agricultural productivity,”* he stated.
**Cross River’s Economic Future: A Bold Vision**
Governor Otu remains **optimistic about Nigeria’s economic reforms**, drawing from his experience in the **Senate’s Finance and Banking Committee**. He assured citizens that despite **current economic hardships**, positive changes will emerge.
With ambitious plans for **tourism, agriculture, and digital transformation**, Cross River is poised for **sustainable growth and economic prosperity**.
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Culture
Lagos State tourism commissioner discusses collaboration with Nigeria immigration service
Published
1 week agoon
February 5, 2025By
Lanre
Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, met with Mrs. Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, to discuss ways to improve the immigration process at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mrs. Kemi Nandap, at her office in Abuja on Friday.
Also read: Lagos State launches monthly landmark tours to boost tourism
During the meeting, both officials engaged in constructive discussions focused on fostering collaboration between the NIS and the Lagos State Government.
A primary area of concern was optimizing the immigration process at **Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)**.
Both parties acknowledged the importance of simplifying entry procedures at the airport to enhance the overall experience for visitors.
They highlighted the critical role this would play in supporting the expected surge in tourism, particularly after the successful tourism campaigns of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Several strategies were explored to improve the immigration process, including:
– **Faster processing lanes** for international arrivals
– **Clearer communication** regarding visa-on-arrival policies
– **Enhanced training** for immigration personnel
The aim is to create a welcoming atmosphere that would encourage international travellers to see Lagos as a prime destination.
Both Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka and Mrs. Nandap agreed that a smooth and efficient immigration process is essential for solidifying Lagos’ position as a leading hub for cultural, artistic, and recreational tourism, contributing to the state’s economic growth and enhancing its global image.
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