Abuja — Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. John Ogar Odey, has said that there is need for Africa to be given special attention by the rest of the world in order to help the continent benefit from the potential of its own creative industries and assist governments, artists and others involved in the field to build on their capacities and to spur development.

He made this disclosure at the launch of Creative Africa Initiative, Nigeria Chapter at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja, recently, saying that Creative Africa Initiative is UNCTAD's efforts at recognising the potential of creative economy and industries for development in Africa. These industries comprise the vast cultural and artistic talents, such as arts and crafts, music, dance, painting, film, advertising and fashion.

According to him, these industries had not been sufficiently encouraged by public policy to make their contribution to national economy by way of job and wealth creation.

Odey further stated that government had formally interfaced the Creative Africa Initiative with the seven-point agenda because the targets set out by the agenda are easily achievable on the platform of creative industries.

"It is discernible that most of the seven-point agenda have direct linkage with the creative industries sector. These include; Poverty eradication and wealth creation, national security and intelligence, human capital development, land tenure reforms and home ownership and the Niger Delta Development," he added.