By JOSHUA OLOMU

The Federal Government says plans are underway for the construction of the Nigerian Creative City, a one-stop hub for talent development and youth empowerment.

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy (FMACCE), said this an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.

According to the minister, the project is part of initiatives conceived by the new FMACCE to provide a platform to harness creative opportunities that abound across the country for economic gains.

“We are talking about Nigerian Creative City, which I hope is going to be a one-stop shop for the 49 subsectors within the creative industry.

“So, within this creative city, all the sub-sectors can go there to demonstrate their ability to create and, by so doing, also create jobs and boost tourism for increased contribution to national revenue.

“Although, every single state is going to have the presence of the Ministry of Culture, Art and creative economy, the huge project of creative city will be here in Abuja, the FCT.

“One of the things that I said that we were going to do as a ministry is to contribute to the economic expansion of our country.

“There is a huge real estate, and I continue to say this, in not only culture but in the creative industries that has been completely untapped for a very long time.

“Players within the industry have been able to organically grow the industry in a way that has given value to the industry and themselves.

“Government has to come in now to close all the gaps, to find the way that we can reposition this value to come back in, this is now where you see this $100 billion contribution already,” she said.

Musawa said the creative city is expected to offer development platforms in all genres of creativity in the arts, culture and entertainment industries.

She said been a talent incubating and entertainment hub, the creative city would create job and business opportunities, and as well becomes Nigeria’s tourism hub.

According to her, the ministry will be working with state ministries to ensure that such hubs are replicated at state government levels.

“We will ensure that there are incubators and hubs in every single locality, or at least three in the first phase in every single state.

“These incubators, these hubs, allow people within their community to go and record music, to go and do capacity building in their locality.

“In every single state, there is going to be a creative and cultural village that will also be able to house the specific and unique sub-sectors that particular state tends to specialise in.

“So, you have your cinemas, you have your arenas, you have your incubators, you have your museums, and I am working closely with the Minister of Tourism,” she said.

The minister however urged Nigerian youths to shun activities that are capable of destabilising the country as no meaningful development could take place in an atmosphere of rancour.

She advised youths to embrace opportunities that about in the creative space, especially as the Federal Government was keen at ensuring that their IP rights were protected for maximum gains.

“I want to say to the Nigerian youth, specifically in this fantastic sector of culture and creative industry, that this government cares for them.

“This is the first ministry of its kind, and I need you to help me as we build long-term sustainability that will empower not only the ecosystem, but every single Nigerian person.

“Our ministry has an open-door policy, and if you have an idea for the industry, and you exist within the industry, please feel free to bring it to me for consideration.

“So that we can build an enabling environment for the future because I do believe that the future of Nigeria rests within this industry.

“We are a fantastic country of talent, of content, and this content comes from you and now that we have this fantastic platform, let us build the future of this industry,” she said. (NAN)

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