(Audio) Arts, culture, entertainment sectors are goldmines for Nigeria — Expert
Economy
By Ibukun Emiola
Ibadan, April 10, 2018 (NAN) An arts expert, Mr Kayode Adebayo, has descibed Nigeria’s arts, culture and entertainment sectors as goldmines for the country, if properly harnessed.
Adebayo, who is the Convener, Africa Music Festival and Cultural Expo (AMFEST), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Tuesday.
Cue in audio (Adebayo)
“We want to standardized the industries in Africa; Nigeria being a big player in that. So we feel Nigeria should be leader of the new economic movement that is supposed to happen to the Arts, the Culture and Entertainment industries in Africa.
“We want to bring all the professionals and practitioners together and then with the purpose of being able to export what we have here, especially in the area of content, in the area talent and in the area of skill.
“And being able to place Africa at a vantage point where investment can come to Africa from the international space and Africa can be looked at also from an out-sourcing point of view.”
Cue out audio
NAN reports that AMFEST Lagos 2018 Expo is scheduled for 2nd to 6th of July 2018; an initiative to attract foreign investors in Arts, Culture and Entertainment to Nigeria.
He stated that Africa’s Arts and Culture are unique and genuine as they have remained unadulterated or polluted by foreign cultures.
Adebayo, however, called on stakeholders in the sectors to work closely and diligently to harness the inherent potentials in the sectors.
“It is not about the government alone but about the industry itself; stakeholders in the industry waking up and understanding what potentials of the particular business ecosystem is and then coming together.
“It is by doing this that they can help guide the government to understand the economic viability and business opportunity. So the government in turn can bring in some level of policies and create enabling environment for it to thrive because we have the population.” He said.
The entertainment enthusiast also said AMFEST Expo 2018 is projecting an economic impact of about N3.2 billion; every participant, international and local industries will benefit directly or indirectly from the event.
“We are looking at people coming from 90 countries all over the globe; practitioners and professionals with the aim of business networking and exchange of ideas.” Adebayo said.
He however, called on other states in Nigeria to take a cue from Lagos state which is generating N12 billion every weekend from the entertainment sector. (NAN)
IBK/YEE
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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim