Ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to ensure that the creative industry contributes N100 billion to the country’s GDP gained a boost, with the proposed establishment of a National Museum and National Theatre in a Creative City to be located in Abuja.
The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa disclosed this during the presentation of the 2024 Appropriation Budget draft to the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.
Musawa stated that the establishment of the two edifices were top on the list of projects of the Ministry which is intended to create employment, not only for creatives but also for Nigerians in general.
The achievement of this, she said, will be subject to the approval of the 2024 Appropriation Budget by the Senate.
The Minister also noted that the Ministry has been grossly underfunded and appealed to the Senate Committee to upscale its allocation in the 2024 budget.
“The Ministry has been grossly underfunded and we will be unable to achieve anything of significance without the right funding.
“The potential of this Ministry is astronomical if we tap into that so we would like to see what we can do at the legislative level to give the Ministry the kind of funding and support that we require to achieve our vision within the roadmap, to be able to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”
In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Ministry has committed to an aspirational target of N100 billion contribution to the nation’s GDP by 2030 and also to the establishment of major projects, which includes the building of a National Theatre and National Museum in Abuja among other projects.
Earlier, Barrister Musawa emphasized the Ministry’s drive to reposition Nigeria through its numerous proposed projects.
She explained the importance and potential of the Creative Economy and the Ministry’s core functions which include attracting foreign investment, cultural promotion and preservation, amongst others, in line with sect. 21 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“We have set high Key Performance Indicators for the ministry and we are ready to hit the aspirational targets which we have set for ourselves. This is a new ministry which is also trying to create jobs and in addition, establish an Intellectual Property Framework which will harness the culture and creativity of Nigeria. This, therefore will require adequate financial provision,” Musawa stated.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo applauded the Minister for her initiatives to establish a National Museum and Theatre in the FCT while stating that the budget review was to aid her in discharging her duties efficiently and realise her dreams for the Ministry.
“The Committee encourages frequent interactions over the course of the year to achieve more synergy and ensure enhanced collaboration with the Senate,” he noted.
On his part, Senator Ede Dafinone representing Delta Central also alluded to the poor budgetary allocation, raising concerns on how the Ministry intended to execute major projects with the meagre allocation.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
