Buhari diversifying economy through the cultural industry ― Minister

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that the present government has been exploring the potentials in the culture industry to create wealth and achieving the major goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is poverty eradication

The Minister who disclosed this while speaking at the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Quarterly Public Lecture, noted that the government has been working hard towards diversifying the economy to the non-oil sector.

Lai Mohammed who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs Memunat Idula said “the place of NICO, in using public enlightenment campaigns like this, promotes culture and showcases the role of culture in effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“SDGs are 17 audacious goals set by the UN, aimed at achieving equality for all humans, by eradicating poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring prosperity.

“Today’s event with the theme, ‘Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria: The Culture Dimension’ is in view of government’s policy of repositioning the economy and better the lots of Nigerians through the non-oil sector.

“Poverty eradication is the first goal on the list of 17 goals of the SDGs, and this is one of the areas of focus of the present administration”.

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The Acting Director General of NICO Louis Eriomala in his address, noted that the Public Lecture was conceptualized as a platform where the nation can benefit from the intellectual knowledge of scholars.

He further said the theme of the lecture was chosen to underscore the relationship between culture and development

“It is pertinent to state that NICO’s Quarterly Public Lecture Series was conceptualized to serve as a platform, where the nation can benefit immensely from the intellectual knowledge and wealth of experience of eminent scholars, renowned cultural administrators, top government functionaries, technocrats and critical stakeholders.

“The theme of today’s lecture was chosen to underscore the critical relationship between culture and development”, he said.

The NICO boss explained that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was conceived at the United Nations Conference on sustainable development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012.

He said the objective was to produce a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing the world. It was adopted in 2015 with effect from 2016.

“It is noteworthy to state that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was one of the major issues for discussion at the plenary sessions at the recently held 40th UNESCO General Assembly-Culture Commission held in Paris.

“It was the consensus that none of the 17 SDGs can be met without leveraging on the power of culture. UNESCO has therefore admonished member nations to put culture at the forefront of the development agenda as it relates to SDGs and agenda 2030.

“At this juncture, it is pertinent to recommend that Nigeria can emulate other nations like Mali and Brazil who are mainstreaming culture into their strategies for achieving SDGs in their countries”, Eriomala added.