Minister Backs African Descent Creative Industry Summit
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barr Hannatu Musawa, has expressed her strong support for the upcoming African Descent Creative Industry Leadership Summit, Honours, and Pageants, set to take place in May.
Barr Musawa confirmed the ministry’s commitment to the event during a meeting with the organizers, the Global Initiative for Leadership Success (GILLS), led by its President and CEO, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, in Abuja.
The Minister emphasized that her ministry would collaborate and provide the necessary support to ensure the success of the summit. She commended GILLS for initiating the project, recognizing its comprehensive approach to the entire creative industry network.
Musawa further highlighted that the goals of the summit align with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to diversify Nigeria’s economy and reduce its dependency on petroleum as a primary foreign exchange earner.
“Many countries, particularly in the Caribbean and some in Africa, earn significant foreign exchange from tourism,” the Minister stated, expressing her excitement for the summit’s inclusion of various cultural events such as art exhibitions, fashion runways, and pageants.
The summit also aims to feature cultural parades, tourism and hospitality expos, African/Black beauty pageants, as well as the African Descents Creative Industry Awards and Honours.
Countries with African descendants from across Africa and the diaspora are expected to participate in the event, including heads of state, government ministries of culture and tourism, and various agencies and parastatals.
Initiator of the summit, High Chief Chukumele, informed the Minister that the embassies and high commissions of African-descendant nations in Nigeria have welcomed the initiative and confirmed their participation. He also noted that policymakers, industry stakeholders, and local and international financial organizations would be involved in the summit.
The event promises to be a significant platform for promoting Africa’s rich cultural heritage and creative industries globally.
