Buhari Pledges Support As Nigeria Hosts Cultural, Tourism, Literary Events

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged full support for three major international events scheduled to hold in Nigeria in October and November this year, saying they are opportunities to showcase the nation’s rich heritage in culture, arts, tourism and entertainment as well as advancements on media freedom.

According to a statement statement issued on Sunday and signed by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, Nigeria would be hosting the 2022 UNESCO Global Media, Information Literacy (MIL) Week in Abuja, in October, the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos, as well as the 2nd Global Association of Literary Festivals Conference, Abeokuta, in November.

Welcoming the decision by UNESCO, United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Global Association of Literary Festivals to grant Nigeria the right to host these separate historic events, the President assured all relevant stakeholders and participants of the warmth and hospitality of the people of Nigeria.

On MIL Week, Buhari noted that it was instructive that Nigeria was attracting positive international attention as a country that promotes media freedom and freedom of expression, recognizing the important roles information literacy and media education play in sustainable development.

On the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry, the President said the rapid growth of Nigeria’s film, fashion, music, and ICT sector, and the increase in international appeal and acceptance would continue to spur government to devote more resources to the sector.

Among other initiatives, he recalled that the Creative Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), established by his administration and managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, has provided single-digit financing to many young Nigerians in the fields of fashion, film, music and information Technology.

The $100 million re-development of the National Theatre, Lagos, into a world-class Creative Park is also ongoing, following the handover of the facility to Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bankers Committee.

The President said he had the trust that the literary world would find many good things to celebrate Nigeria when they meet in the historic city of Abeokuta, homeland and birthplace of one of Nigeria’s finest literary icons and Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

Buhari expressed delight to welcome international visitors to Nigeria and urged fellow compatriots to use the period to exhibit the values “that make us a unique, friendly and peace-loving people.”