The Federal Government has called for closer collaboration with the United States in the field of creative and culture industry.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who made the call in Abuja, yesterday, said the call was necessary especially in improving the quality of Nollywood movies.
Speaking when he received the United States Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs,Ms. Akunna Cook, Mohammed, in a statement issued by the Special Assistant to the President (Media), Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi, said:”Of immediate importance to us in Nigeria at this time is how to continue to improve the quality of our films. As you know, Nollywood, as our film industry is known, is among the top three in the world. Yes, the quality of our films has improved incrementally over the years, but we can still benefit from the rich experience of America’s Hollywood, the undisputed world best.
“Apart from improving the quality of our production through technical training and exchanges, we will also like to learn a few tricks in the area of animation.”
Mohammed further said the Federal Government was working hard to reposition the Creative and Culture Industry, which has been badly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, because of the immense contribution of the sector to the nation’s GDP.
“The Creative and Culture Industry is a key sector of the Nigerian economy, contributing 17.3percent to the country’s GDP in 2020 and, together with other seemingly unrelated sectors, providing between 10 and 15million jobs. Indeed, the Creative and Culture Industry is the biggestemployer of labour after Agriculture,” Mohammed also said.
The minister disclosed some important interventions made by the Federal Government in the Creative Industry to include the N22.9billion Central Bank of Nigeria Creative Industry Financing Initiatives; the N1billion Bank of Industry Nollyfund; another N1billion Bank of Industry Fashion and Beauty Fund; N-Power Creative and Project Act Nollywood Federal Grant.
Mohammed added that the government was still exploring other avenues to further give the sector a lift.
In her remarks, Cook said during her three-day visit to Nigeria, she focused on the developments in the Creative Industry and Digital Technology.
She said Nigeria’s Creative Industry has proven to be not only a driver of the economy but a significant player in changing the world’s perception about Africa, particularly Nigeria.
Cook hailed the Nigerian Government for refurbishing the National Theatre, Lagos which, she said, will create an eco-system and provide phenomenal opportunities for the stakeholders in the Creative Industry.
She pledged the readiness of the US Government to collaborate with Nigeria towards boosting the Creative Industry in the country.
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard; and Commander of USACE’s North Atlantic Division, Brigadier General Thomas Tickner; have visited Kainji Air Force Base to perform the ground-breakingof the final phase of the $38million construction project for the A-29 Super Tucanos’ support facilities.
They were joined by the Deputy Director for the Air Force Security Assistance and Cooperation Directorate, Ronald Taylor; and senior Nigerian Air Force officials.
A statement by the US Mission in Nigeria, made available to The TIDE IN Port Harcourt, said the construction site would be the location of several critical facilities, including sunshades to house the A-29 Super Tucanos, munitions assembly and storage areas, and an annex for the A-29 flight simulator.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) North Atlantic Division is overseeing the construction of this necessary infrastructure for the operation and maintenance of the A-29 Super Tucanos and their accompanying munitions.
While touring the site, Leonard explained the importance of this ground-breaking, saying “We are not just here today to celebrate a milestone in airbase construction, but a milestone in a partnership between our two countries.
“This monumental undertaking of the Nigerian Air Force through the A-29 Super Tucano program reflects the work ethic, ingenuity, and dedication of the Nigerian people.”
In his remarks, Tickner, echoed Leonard’s sentiment, saying “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Air Force, and the Nigerian Air Force to deliver support facilities for their new fleet of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft.
“These projects are a prime example of USACE’s unique ability to apply its engineering expertise in ways that build partner capacity, strengthen strategic relationships, and bolster Nigeria’s security capability.
“This construction project is a part of the historic $500million U.S. foreign military sale to Nigeria, which also includes the delivery of the 12 A-29 Super Tucano aircrafts, munitions, and world-class training.
“This is the largest U.S. foreign military sales case in Sub-Saharan Africa and demonstrates the strong partnership between the United States and Nigeria.
“The United States is committed to assisting Nigeria in its efforts to create a more peaceful, prosperous nation”, he said.