Bob MajiriOghene Etemiku, Alltimepost.com Speical Correspondent (Nigeria}
Edo State Government would invest up to N500million in the National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST) to ensure that it becomes a creative and culture hub in Nigeria, Osaze Ero, the state’s commissioner for Arts and Culture has disclosed.
The commissioner also said that in October 2019 when Edo hosts the National Festival of Arts & Culture (NAFEST), the state will solidify its prime position as the cradle and epicenter of culture and creativity in Nigeria.
Commissioner Ero made this known as part of his opening remarks at the Interactive Session with Stakeholders in the Entertainment Industry at the Edo State Government House on May 23, 2019.
“Culture and entertainment are the cardinal pillars are some of the pillars upon which the Godwin Obaseki administrations rests. To that extent, we have invited the crème de crème of the entertainment industry to this interactive session to explore and clarify key activities an Edo Creative Hub, and trigger viable initiatives from major stakeholders,” Hon Ero said.
The interactive session with the shakers and movers of the entertainment industry in Nigeria had the Hon Philip Shuaibu, Edo state deputy governor, Betsy Obaseki, Edo First Lady, Betsy Obaseki, and wife of the deputy governor in attendance.
Participants at the interactive session included investors from the Greenwich Asset Management Group, talent managers, producers, trainers and seasoned stakeholders in the entertainment industry in Edo state. They include Lancelot Imasuen, Paul Obazele, Victor Aghahowa, Paddy Okhao, Stanley Ohikhuare and many more.
On his part, Hon Shuaibu said that the Edo state government would help the creative industry to succeed in Edo State. “Our campaign was anchored on making poverty history by creating employment. Even though some of the reforms that we have made have not yielded tangible results, government will provide the enabling environment for the entertainment industry to succeed,” Hon Shuaibu said.
Betsy Obaseki, Edo First Lady and Business Development Unit Director of the Bank of Industry (BOI), said that the Creative Industry Hub to be created in Edo is a product of the campaign promise made by her husband.
“We realized from the get go that the critical mass of entertainers in Nigeria is either Edo people or those who took their roots from Edo. We believe that this entertainment hub has the capacity to create over 200,000 jobs through its allied activities,” Mrs Obaseki said.
