27th November, 2022
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the PDP Presidential candidate, on Saturday promised to increase funds for the arts and liberalise the process of its acquisition once elected in the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Abubakar made the promise during a special roundtable discussion with Nigeria’s creative, cultural and innovative industry stakeholders in Lagos.
The meeting was aimed at strengthening the country’s booming entertainment space and cultivating more unifying support in championing Nigeria’s creative expression.
The presidential candidate acknowledged that the creative industry was a vital industry capable of immense wealth creation and the generation of huge employment opportunities.
He said such an industry should not be toyed with as it had been identified as the second most important sector after agriculture.
“I commend the presentations so far, I understand your challenges which I am also facing because I own a television and radio station. I face the same problem of access to water and electricity as well as bad roads, so I want you to regard me as one of you.
“The way forward is to increase funds for the arts and liberalise the process of acquiring that fund. If you give me the opportunity, I would do it because it is essential.
“I reject direct CBN intervention and encourage the private sector to be part of this, government cannot develop all the funds needed.
“I look forward to a close collaboration with you on how we can develop the sector and exploit its potential. It is a multi-billion income-creating sector”, Atiku said.