Abuja – The British Council said on Tuesday in Abuja that it partnership with the Ministry of Information and Culture in the creative industry will enhance Nigeria’s economic growth.
The British Council (Nigeria) country Director, Ms Connie Price, said this during the opening ceremony of the council’s annual two-day conference and expo.
Price said the idea of the conference was to stimulate debate, identify key areas, discuss and explore areas of potential policy and practice-level collaboration and exchange and foster cooperation between Nigeria and the UK.
She said the conference, with the theme “Why is the creative economy important: Nigerian and UK as Case Studies’’ was aimed at developing strategies for the growth of the Nigerian creative industry.
“This annual conference concept was launched in April 2011 with the aim of embracing collaborative support to drive the creative Industry.
“In sub-Saharan Africa, we have an ambition to engage over 200 million young people particularly, to give them access to life changing opportunities, including Nigerian youths.
“This will strengthen the partnership between Nigeria and the UK, and make Nigeria a leading creative economy globally.
Also speaking, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the the activities of the creative industry would promote culture and economic activities in the country.
“A vibrant creative industry will push for economic diversification as well as address the issue of crime.
“The creative industry alone offers an incredible opportunity in terms of job creation, stability in the polity and move millions of people out of poverty.
Mr Graham Sheffield, Global Director (Arts), British Council, said the conference would produce ideas and strategies that would support and sustain the Nigerian creative industry.
“You can’t isolate yourself but work in partnership, whether temporarily or permanently, to bring the desired result.
NAN reports that the conference personalities present at the conference included Mr Paul Arkwright, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria and Mr Folorunsho Coker, the Lagos State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, among others. (NAN)
