NAN-ELS-3
Village
By Cecilia Odey
Abuja, June 13, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Artistes in the Abuja Arts and Crafts Village, has appealed to the Federal Government to create an environment conducive for the development of arts and crafts works in Nigeria.
Mr Shaibu Lawal, the association’s Secretary-General, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday that the measure would boost the morale of artistes in the country.
The secretary also called on Government to improve power supply to the village and support the artists with soft loans to further improve the quality of their products and to.
Lawal commended Nigerians for their patronage in spite of the recession.
“Before now, you do not see our wealthy and influential individuals patronising us, but these days, we now see them coming to the village to buy arts works from us.
“I want to appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari, for his purposeful leadership; some Nigerians have now imbibed the culture of patronising locally made products including art works.
“Nigerians before now were importing goods which could be produce locally from other countries.
“We were made to understand in the past that Nigeria was importing goods such as tooth picks and foreign art works.
“However, we are now elated as Nigerians are coming to arts and crafts village to buy indigenous works of art.
“This will encourage more people into the arts crafts works, thereby making the sector viable.’’
Lawal also solicited for more patronage from residents, visitors and tourists. (NAN)
COO/MO/EAL
Edited by Morayo Omolade/Ekemini Ladejobi
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