Leadership (Abuja)
11 November 2008
The international trade in creative goods and services has increased from $227.4 billion in 1999 to $424.4 billion in 2005.
Minister of Information and Communications, Mr John Odey, disclosed this at the formal launching of the Nigerian chapter of Creative African Initiative in Abuja yesterday.
The initiative is the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's effort at recorginising the potentials of creative industries for development in Africa. These creative industries comprise of cultural and artistic talents like art and craft, music, dance, painting, film, advertising and fashion, amongst others.
Performing the ceremony, the Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, said Africa has comparative advantage in the sector in comparison with the western nations because over 65 per cent of African's rural population is involved in one form of arts and craft of the other.
Jonathan stated that by developing the creative industries, Africa would create and tackle poverty in the continent.
Represented by the Minister of state for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Dr Idi Hong, the vice president noted that by developing this visual sector, Africa would be assisted to rise above the present level of subsistence and poverty. "In fact, this would ultimately launch the continent into players of the world economy".
Noting that countries like India, United Kingdom, Korea are already reaping huge benefits from the sector, Jonathan assured of Federal Government's support and encouragement to enable the initiative succeed.
Quoting the UNCTAD Creative Economy Report 2008, Odey stated that although Africa's export in creative goods doubled during the period 2000 -2005 from $973 million to $1.8 billion, he stated that the continent still contributes less in world trade.
The minister noted that both advertising and film industries in Nigeria have the potential to grow up to N500 million, pointing that the multiplier effects of growing the sector are enormous.
In his address, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, noted that the initiative is aimed at bringing about a focus on the enormous potentials of the industry in Africa, envisaged to showcase the wealth creation ability of Africa to the international community and to take necessary steps to develop the sector as a major revenue earner for the African economy.
He urged the National Committee to make concrete proposal to government on ways of harnessing, developing and marketing the creative sector as a major contributor to Nigeria's economy.
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