The Presidential candidate of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has promised to support the creative industry with the necessary incentives and make it one of the largest employer of labour if elected president of Nigeria come 2023.
He made the commitment in Lagos during a roundtable discussion with stakeholders in Nigeria’s creative, cultural and innovative industry.
Some of the speakers at the discussion panel included top entertainment entrepreneur, Ayo Animashaun, award-winning director, Kenneth Gyang, ace creative director, Papa Omotayo; Talent Manager and Music Executive, Efe Omorogbe, media entrepreneur, Agatha Amata among others.
The stakeholders told Atiku of the challenges they face which borders on lack of funds from government to prosecute their project, lack of enabling environment, which made the industry frustrating and preventing the stakeholders from actualising their potentials.
They added that some funds made available to them are from foreign countries.
Atiku said the industry has what it takes to crash the unemployment rate and generate huge revenue for the country if necessary support is given.
Atiku assured that, he would create an enabling environment for the players in the industry by providing proper funding, training and capacity development. He said the funding would be liberalised and distributed through banks or agencies in order to make it easily accessible for players in the industry.
“This industry is a livewire for our economy. A sector that provides employment, especially for the youth, is not one to be toyed with. This sector can provide us huge revenue if well harnessed.
“The way forward is to increase funds for the arts and liberalise the process of acquiring that fund, if you give me the opportunity, I will do it because it is essential,” he said.
