We’ll see that AFAC is biggest culture market – FG
President Goodluck Jonathan made this declaration at the opening of the 3rd edition of the African Arts and Crafts Expo organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC) which took place at the parade ground last Thursday. The president who was represented by the Minister for Special Duties, retired Navy Captain, Omoniyi Caleb […]
President Goodluck Jonathan made this declaration at the opening of the 3rd edition of the African Arts and Crafts Expo organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC) which took place at the parade ground last Thursday.
The president who was represented by the Minister for Special Duties, retired Navy Captain, Omoniyi Caleb Olubolade said, “The theme of this year’s AFAC, Growing the Rural Economy Through The Crafts Industry” is apt and is crafted to among others, explore, grow, develop, promote, market and generally leverage on our arts and crafts resources to mitigate some of our present challenges especially in the areas of rural transformation, wealth generation as well as combating youth unemployment and other associated vices.”
He added that, “is my hope that the Expo will re-awaken the past glimpse, glamour, glory and dignity of the crafts industry, making it to be a significant contributor to the country’s foreign exchange earnings as it is common knowledge that our creative products are clamoured for in most of the Western world.”
He had no doubts that the, “Expo will facilitate the sharing of ideas, create regional markets and awareness on how we can best tap from existing structures of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union” and similar sister organisations.
Also speaking at the event the Minister for Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Sadiq Abubakar Mohammed, said the private sector and the federal government synergy regarding the promotion and development of arts and culture, is a very good idea. “The first few years are to sensitise people and going forward for the private sector to take over from there. The government has given the enabling environment and the private sector which is the crust of production of these items, have the responsibility to see them to perfection and make a lot of inputs. Their products can be commodities that will make very serious impact.”
He added, “We hope that in future, with private investors seeing the potentials, they will buy into it. The federal government is at the moment, trying to ginger people to make investments. There are a lot of potentials in this industry.”
The NCAC helmsman, Mr. Mwajim Maidugu, in his welcome address, pointed out that, “Expo 2010 seeks to explore, develop, market and generally leverage our rich and diverse crafts industry to contribute effectively in response to government’s efforts at job creation, youth empowerment and rural economic development.”
The ten-day event in addition to showcasing the best of the African Crafts Industry in Africa has a one-day Investment Forum designed to provide and stimulate creative and intellectual discourse with a view to impart the requisite knowledge on the huge potentials that abound in the crafts industry.
So far, no less than eight other African countries along with several states from across the federation, Private investors and academic institutions have mounted exhibitions of their wares and artifacts.