By Miriam Humbe
Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke has called on the private and corporate bodies to support Federal Government’s efforts to transform the arts and Crafts sector.
The Minister made the call Tuesday in Abuja at the opening ceremony of the 2014 African Arts and Crafts (AFAC) Expo, organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).
Duke reiterated that the Arts and Craft sector, if properly harnessed would empower the rural population, discourage rural-urban migration and crate employment.
He noted that AFAC has grown steadily to become a veritable platform for mobilising youths and women towards actualizing their talents, skills and creativity.
Duke noted that the expo has lived to its expectation of regional integration and unity as well as bringing to the fore the economic opportunities that abound in the creativity industry.
Earlier, the House Committee Chairman on Culture and Tourism, Mr Ben Nwankwo stressed the need to mainstream the arts and crafts sector into the economy.
He said that the potentials inherent in the sector should be unlocked to allow for adequate growth and development of the industry that would help to increase the gross domestic product of the country.
The Executive Director of NCAC, Mr Malgwi Maidugu, said the expo has since its inception promote import and export business of arts and crafts to the international market.
The theme for the 7th edition of the expo which has seven (7) countries at the opening ceremony, is tagged: “African Arts and Crafts: Tools for Economic Empowerment”.
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