Creative industry strategic to tourism economy —Folorunsho Folarin Coker, DG, NTDC

The Director–General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC, Mr Folorunsho Folarin Coker has described the creative industry as a strategic nexus for unlocking the tourism economy in Nigeria.

He revealed “One integral part of the tourism sub economy which has not received a copious attention and adequate recognition in our efforts at mainstreaming the tourism economy is the creative industry. This industry is a strategic nexus for stoking tourism as a development economy with relevance to the nation and the citizens”.

Mr Folorunsho Coker  pointed out “ The creative industry  is unique in that it relies on an unlimited local  and global resource, depends on  human creativity, strengthening  growth strategies in the creative economy and primarily focus on harnessing the development potential of an unlimited resource without relying on optimising limited resources as in traditional manufacturing industries”.

He said “Nigeria is abundantly blessed in the area of unique traditional-architecture,  art, crafts, design, heritage, museums, galleries, libraries fashion, film, music, performing arts, advertising and marketing ,  publishing, TV and radio. But we have not devolved efforts at maximizing the inherent economic blessing in this via tourism”,

Coker said, “For the full exploration and mobilisation of the tourism economy in serving the essentials of job creation, revenue generation, wealth stimulation, community development and social integration, the creative industry  must not only be   harnessed but must be synchronized  within the template of tourism development and promotion”.

The NTDC boss made this observation while interacting with some eminent Nigerians and journalists who had graced the 94 birthday celebration of his father, Chief Folarin Coker in Lagos on Saturday pointed out that “one of the oversights which the tourism sector had made in the past is the relegation or non–recognition of the creative economy as a pivotal part of the sector which should be at the front burner of integration”.

He further remarked ‘the focus at NTDC now is the development and promotion of tourism within the ambit of national vision by aligning every stride at utilising the potentialities of the creative industry in achieving sustainable economic advancement for the citizens”

Mr Folorunsho Coker said “Tourism by the status should be taken beyond the concept of mere dancing and receiving visitors  but making it an effective sub sector of empowerment , job creation and wealth mobilisation which the creative industry is very  central to”

He revealed that ‘Tour Nigeria’ would be hinged on the exploration, exposition, identification and enhancement of the creative industries in the six geo-political zones of the country.

“The Tour Nigeria is not a mere branding or sloganeering for seeking attention for tourism sites and value only. It is predicated on the basis of making tourism a way of life by creating the awareness among the people and the community and by also stoking the development and enhancement of the creative industries within the perimeter of the tourism value. All for the benefits of the people and advancement of the nation’s economy.”