The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has expressed the ministry’s commitment to increase Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Products (GDP) and foreign exchange earnings.
Duke said this at the African Arts and Crafts Expo (AFAC) with the theme “Promoting the crafts industry for economic transformation’’, in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the expo was organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture.???
He urged Nigerians to harness the potential that abound in arts and crafts industry as a non-oil sector to contribute to the country’s GDP.
“In the culture sector, we are particularly re-engineering and refocusing our activities toward contributing to the government's efforts at increasing the GDP and foreign exchange earnings through the non-oil sector.’’
The minister said the industry would significantly assist to combat rural-urban migration, youth restiveness and militancy.
Duke added that the arts and crafts industry would further empower women and contribute to the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals “and indeed the nation's achievement of target by 2020’’.
Similarly, Hajia Zainab Maina, Minister of Women Affairs, urged women to utilise crafts making to increase their skills and engage in economic ventures.
Maina said the 77 skills acquisition centres established nationwide by the ministry would further assist women to develop their skills toward arts and crafts.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 15 countries are participating in the eight-day event.
It will serve as a platform to expand and grow the business of arts and crafts industry as well as share ideas and network with other practitioners in areas that relate to competence.
The event featured production, marketing, packaging and presentation of arts works as well as performance by dance groups.
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