By Aderogba George
The Global Initiative for Leadership Success (GILS), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, on Tuesday convened a summit in Abuja to discuss opportunities in the creative industry.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, tagged “African Descent Creative Industry Leadership Summit, Honours and Pageants,” had as its theme “Enhancing African Descent Economies Through Creative Industry”.
In his welcome address, GILS President and CEO, Mr Sunnie Chukumele, said the summit was organised to examine the challenges, highlight the opportunities and strengthen the creative industry ecosystem.
He said the goal was to stimulate conversations that support creators; from talent development and intellectual property protection to distribution, financing, and global market access.
“This gathering is more than an event; it is a unifying platform where culture, creativity, enterprise, and leadership intersect.
“Today, we assemble to reflect, refocus and reimagine the possibilities within the creative economy of African descent people worldwide.
“Most importantly, this summit serves as a bridge connecting Africa with its diaspora, and connecting creators with policymakers, investors, and enablers who can unlock the next phase of transformation,” he said.
Chukumele said the creative industry is more than entertainment, noting that it represents diplomacy, identity, soft power and a strategic economic pillar for the continent.
He said the summit was a collective call to action for collaboration, innovation and strengthening of the creative economy for global competitiveness.
Earlier, Mrs Ojemakinde Olufunke, Chief Tourism Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, commended the organisers, saying the summit was timely and aligned with efforts to grow the national economy.
She noted that the creative and tourism sectors were essential in addressing Nigeria’s rising unemployment figures.
“This is what we need as a nation, knowing that the system cannot provide white-collar jobs for everyone. Diversification into tourism and the creative sector is key.
“I see this as a way forward for the nation. It can attract investors and help grow Nigeria’s GDP. This kind of gathering is necessary if we want to move forward,” she said. (NAN)