At the historic
National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) on
Wednesday signed an MOU with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture
for the development of Nigeria’s creative industries. The Honourable Minister
Alhaji Lai Mohammed and Tony O. Elumelu, CON signed for their respective
organizations.
The
partnership will provide a framework for bringing creative industry
stakeholders together with investors, financiers and business leaders to
transform the creativity of industry entrepreneurs into a profitable sector
capable of attracting international collaboration and contributing consistently
to the national economy.
During the signing, the Hon. Minister said, “My
Ministry recognises the urgent need to develop Nigeria’s creative industries
and increase its contribution to the national economy. Nigeria currently has
creative industries but no creative economy. This partnership will leverage the
experience of the private sector to help the creative industries retain the commercial
opportunity and the financial benefits.”
In April, the
Minister approached TEF with a challenge: “How can we work together to help
transform the currently underdeveloped and unstructured creative industry
ecosystem into an organized and profitable pool of creative industries that
provide meaningful employment to thousands of Nigerians?”
The
Foundation’s response is the framework which undergirds the MOU.
While speaking at the event, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA Plc Mr.
Tony O. Elumelu, CON said, “Without doubt, Nollywood is a global leader and our young musicians are
emerging as international sensations with serious earning potential.
Nigerians are good at starting creative businesses, but they lack the
capacity to scale, proper business management and the investment necessary to
become self-sustaining. This partnership will provide the framework for
building business capacity and attracting sustainable investment.”
Also speaking at the event, the
CEO of the Foundation, Parminder Vir, OBE, expressed her optimism at the future
of the creative industry in Nigeria. A seasoned filmmaker herself, Ms. Vir
stated, “Nigeria has
an abundance of creative excellence, talent and cultural IP in film,
television, music, fashion, ICT, performing arts and this partnership is
designed to support the growth of this sector for leading businesses,
facilities, entrepreneurs and institutions engaged in the fast growing sector.”
The event was well attended by several industry representatives
including luminaries like Joke Silva, Zeb Ejiro, Obi Asika, Ali Baba, D’Banj,
Chioma Ude, Nimi AkinkugbeRalph Nwadike, Audu Maikori, Princess Dolapo Oni
Sijuwade and more
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