It was a gathering of key players in the creative industry, which included musicians, actors and actresses from Nollywood, comedians, artists, writers to mention but a few. One could tell from the turnout that the creative sector is out to speak with one voice of creativity, one voice of love and one heart, to celebrate Nigeria’s centenary.
It was an exotic exposure of diverse cultures, songs from various musicians, dancers and performing artist all gathered to commemorate 100years of the nation Nigeria and to celebrate the successes of the creative industry in Nigeria, which has come not just to stay but to contribute its own quota in making the nation a great one.
Those who graced the occasion included Edem Duke, minister of culture, tourism and national orientation, who represented President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who according to Duke was in the building but could not attend as he was grieved as a result of the bomb blast that took place in Kano few hours before the event commenced.
The minister expressed his grief over the victims of bomb blast which took place while the President was on his way to the event, declaring that the peace of the nation has been chartered and the blood of the compatriots is flowing, as everyone sits in sober reflection of the activities of the last few hours.
“Fellow Nigerians, we are here to commemorate 100 years of our nation. As we look at the achievements from the years of our forebears until today, as we commemorate this evening to the legacy and the achievements of our creative industry. Our heads are bowed for the spirit of this nation. This nation is more important than any single individual or group, the spirit that has wielded us together for over 100years will continue,” Duke said.
While conveying the message of the president, he emphasized that as a leader of one of the foremost black nations in the face of the earth, the challenge of today, the challenge of insecurity, the challenge of insurgency is one that breaks his heart and he sees the futility of trying destroy this country.
In addition he said with the courage and determination of stakeholders of the creative industry, the president believes that the efforts of our fore fathers did will not go in vain adding that as everyone begins to move into the next century, the zeal of oneness of the people as the larger part of this country will prevail over the spirit of wickedness.
“When will it stop? When will insurgency stop being the defining element of Nigeria, when men and women in the creative industry and community are exercising and exploiting their talent and creativity to outbound the frontiers of our achievements. We must all with one determination, make up our minds that in our little corners, whether by prayers or information to the security agency, whether by standing up against insurgency, we will mould the spirit of this nation, to move this nation forward, to ensure that transformation is successful, that our children and children’s children will find a wonderful country to live in,” Duke said.
He said the president has asked him to express his appreciation to the creative community to say that today, the creative industry of Nigeria has redefined the positioning our country within the comity of nations and this galaxy of stars, who were gathered in the room by their creativity and the hidden talents with which nature and God has endowed them has continued to win hearts and minds of Nigeria.
He noted that today, the Nigeria movie industry has become the second largest in the world, but it only took the men and women seated in the building to ensure that that is achieved.
“Today, through our movie industry, jobs are created but more importantly, we have broken the boundary of geography. Our movie industry has moved us into the homes of people in every continent of the world. And so, it is with pride that when the president meets with the president of China, Brazil, South Africa and Kenya at the end of the day, talks about Nollywood.”
The minister affirmed that the entire country pays respect to the creative industry because it has truly taken the collateral of our culture and molded it into mysterious stories, epic stories, stories of love and have won pride for Nigeria adding that it is only when culture gets there that business begins to come.
Speaking about the music industry, the minister said he is proud of the entertainers who today has redefined music from the continent of Africa and beyond and everyone begins to see that all over the world, whether in New York or other countries, Nigerian music are played in clubs and lounges all over the place, as the rhythm has remained very compelling.
“It was with pride that I spent the quarter of a day to see the works of our own artists adorning Buckingham palace. Only in the month of August the president hosted the Nigerian cultural night, which attracted people from all over the world.”
He affirmed that Nigerian creative community has moved Nigeria beyond boundaries of Africa as not too long ago, Mr President had the opportunity of a visit by the world renowned designers who came to celebrate and appreciate Nigerian fashion designers and express determination to work with the designers, such that now in England, New York and everywhere Nigeria designed works speak for themselves.
Addressing the writers, the minister said many of Nigerian writes have their works translated into languages we cannot even imagine and are being taught in schools in Russia, Denmark, and England and all over the world.
“Truly, the Nigerian creative community has positioned itself as the top among the social economic platform of this nation. I truly salute you and I would like to say that in the 100 years of Nigeria, no president, no administration has paid as much respect to this sector as the present president of the federal republic of Nigeria, sitting among us in the consultation of stars, men and women of colour and flamboyance truly reflecting of Nigeria,” he added.
The minister went further to express his gratitude to the minister of Finance, Governor of Central bank of Nigeria, Chairman of Visafone and Zenith bank for their support
According to him, “Culture is the defining element of our nation. It is the most important commonwealth that we share. It is the truly reflective element of the pride that you and I have,” he said.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Minister of Finance while shedding light on the contributions of the creative industry said that so far from the surveys conducted, for the creative industry within Youwin, the enterprises has created 5456 jobs for youths and for themselves. This, she said is a very big effort and a good number of these industries are doing well.
She further noted that many have won national and international awards in fashion designs and in the creative art and it is in the recognition of the President’s effort in this direction that the Nigerian creative Entrepreneurs Association in conjunction with the British Council Nigeria gave the award of the best overall contributor to the Nigerian creative industry 2013.
According to her, “A 3billion naira grant programme was launched by the president to support the Nollywood industry. Till this moment in time, no government has directly intervened. The project included capacity building of 300million naira, which will enable the industry’s practitioners upgrade their skills and institutions in Nigeria can acquire the necessary capacity to provide the type of services needed.
Iweala further explained that there was a Film production fund of 700million naira and a distribution fund of 2billion naira, to help in distribution of audio-visual content, cut down on piracy and better protect intellectual property in the industry.
“We kicked off the implementation of the project in July last year with capacity building and so far 205 individuals, which includes 172 males and 33 females have undertaken several training courses at home and abroad particularly in the US and India,” she said.
The minister also noted that for the film production level, they have commenced the rigorous process of training many and giving them funds and some other batch of beneficiaries will soon be ready adding that a lot of work is being done in the Nigerian Copyright Commission to see how they can better protect intellectual property.
She also assured that the president is out to support this industry as he believes in the creative industry and he will not disappoint but in return pleaded that the creative industry works with the government to ensure maximum progress.
Bruce Onobrakpeya, a renowned artist, Nigerian print maker, painter and sculptor expressed his gratitude to the President for his great interest in the creative sector and the efforts of the government to elevate the creative sector to a higher level, where they can continue to play an optimum role in the development of Nigeria.
He went further to say that the occasion provides him the opportunity to plead with Mr President to look into areas which need urgent attention to facilitate and accelerate the growth of the art sector.
According to Onobrakpeya social welfare is needed for the artist and grants to empower them and enable them take care of their various associations and carry out their projects.
He noted that there is also need for building of infrastructure to showcase the artist work and the need for artist communication with the various sectors being developed in our nation.
Remi Raji, President of the Association for Nigerian Authors requested that the government work with the writers to build strong structures and institutions for Nigerian writers.
Raji explained that the centrality of writing for historical and scientific purpose in a nation cannot be overemphasized.
“We will like an open conversation with the government on how to support the book industry, build enduring structures and institutions for the creative industry. We must bring back the book to stop all menaces facing the country,” he said.
FUNKE OSAE-BROWN
