At the recently concluded Symposium hosted at the National Assembly of Nigeria Library Complex, salient issues arose concerning ways of enhancing the executive/legislative relations. There were discourses by eminent resource persons both from home and the diaspora. These focused on areas of “Harnessing the Emerging Opportunities in the Creative, Digital, Green and Blue economies for National Development: Quest for collaborative strategies”.
The event, convened by the office of the Special Assistant to the Senate President on Strategy and Creative Economy, was to commemorate the one-year anniversary of Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s Tenure. It also provided an opportunity to unveil the book titled: “Perspectives of the 10th Senate: A compendium of articles marking a year of legislative milestones under the mantle of the Senate President’s leadership. The book offers a unique insight into the workings of the National Assembly with highlights on the Senate’s efforts to address pressing national issues ranging from economic development to security and healthcare. The publication is also a testament to the Senate’s transparency, accountability and due process. It also aims at serving as a public enlightenment tool to create greater awareness for the workings of the 10th Senate while also providing functional feedback mechanism channels.
The event played host to numerous relevant stakeholders from MDAs and supporters of the Creative Industry who came to show support and solidarity to the Creative Industry and Economic bill for the advancement of the National Agenda for diversification from oil to other non-oil sources of revenue generation.
The Special Assistant to the Senate President, Hon. Patty Etete-Inemeh in his remarks, stated that: “Since he assumed office, Mr Senate President has not pretended about his commitment to deepening the sense of collaboration among the arms of government”. In the same vein, the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters under the able leadership of Senator Basheer Lado, CON is assiduously working in tandem with this objective.
The Creative Economy fund bill, a flagship legislation, aims to unlock the potential of fashion, culinary tourism, arts, crafts, films and other allied services in Nigeria’s Creative Industries. This bill’s passage demonstrates the Senate’s Commitment to give an enabling environment for the policies of diversifying the economy and creating employment opportunities for the nation’s teeming youth population.
The Symposium brought together experts, stakeholders, and lawmakers to discuss the Senate’s accomplishments and challenges. Keynote Speakers and panelists shared their perspectives on the Creative Economy fund bill and its potential impact on Nigeria’s economic landscape. All were unanimous in the firm belief that Nigeria has come of age in the area of diversifying the economy and this bill is a blueprint setting the standard and reinforcing the policy thrust of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Dr. Kizito Alakwe, a resource person at the Symposium, a recent re-basing of Nigeria’s economy led to the country emerging as Number 1 in Africa, with the culture and creative industry contributing immensely to this position. In his words: “our music (afro-beats, afro-pops, etc) are accepted globally while performing arts, crafts, fashion food, culture and performing arts are making waves everywhere.” The second resource person, Dr Abba Abdullah, who spoke on fisheries and aquaculture, an aspect of the blue economy, opined that there was need for adequate researches to be generated to build a database of these resources. He further reiterated that this sector is the new oil to generate wealth and advance the development of Nigeria. Another resource person Dr. Halima Usman gave a talk on powering rural development in cottage industries and export zones for the Green Economy. She also advocated a thorough study of recurring patterns and cycles in order to come up with viable solutions that will further advance Nigeria’s economic development.
To highlight the unquantifiable values of Nigeria’s Potential in this space, products of human creativity were rife in the Symposium’s exhibitions. This was amply proven by the various displays showcasing myriads of arts and crafts from different parts of the country notably the raffia palm and artworks from Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State. It was a proud display of our natural heritage as a nation.
Nigeria can also take a cue from such African countries as Kenya which ranks high in its scenic locations for vibrant tourist appeal.
As the journey of the 10th Senate continues, the Symposium serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration and multi-stakeholder engagement. It also underscores the relevance of enhancing a robust, dynamic and harmonious relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government.
That Nigeria is blessed with manifold creative talents and tangible resources has never been in doubt. The challenge has always been to create sustainability in driving the policy thrust of government to arrive at desirable outcomes. Now more than ever, there is a compelling need for diversification leveraging on the richness of our diverse cultures. The current dynamics enhancing the executive/legislative relations provides a veritable opportunity to consolidate this laudable goal.
Another vital ingredient will be blocking the loopholes in the sector which also comprises banning of substandard imported artworks and cultural pieces. There is moreover, a need to update school’s curriculum to include these diverse trends promoting inclusivity which entails giving women more empowerment especially in the film, fashion and culinary industries. The Federal Government will do very well to conduct mapping across the 6 geopolitical zones to ascertain the viability of these enterprises.
Our Corps members will also greatly benefit from a post orientation mentoring experience in certain skills acquisition, ditto for the disabled and vulnerable groups of the society.
Mobile networks and other tech companies should also rise to the occasion to synergise, collaborate and support the process.
With these interventionist measures there are indications that a national policy is being put in place to ensure a meaningful and purposeful exploitation of our creative industries and set them in motion for achieving the national agenda of inclusivity and diversification. All these will engender greater prosperity for our dear nation.
EMEMMARIA OFFIONG,
Assistant Director,
RADIO HOUSE,
ABUJA, NIGERIA.
