THE Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has expressed worry over the poor funding of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the cultural sector, which has been a huge setback to the actualisation of their goals of growing the sector.
It, therefore, called on government and other stakeholders in the sector to demonstrate the relevance of culture by stimulating tourism that was fast becoming a money-spinning venture for many countries.
In a statement endorsed by its General Secretary, Comrade Akpausoh Udo, after the Cultural Trade Group meeting of RATTAWU in Abuja, a copy of which was made available to Tribune Online, the union appealed to the incoming governors, especially the various states that were yet to have befitting Cultural Centres to consider such as their priority projects during their tenure.
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While congratulating the governors for their victory at the polls, the union urged the governments at all levels to ensure that professionals within the system were appointed to head the various MDAs within the cultural sector to enhance professionalism.
According to the union, as a platform for promoting our cultural heritage, the Cultural Trade Group enjoins the State Governors to support their states’ Troupes financially to attend the annual Cultural Festivals and Carnivals.
“The Trade Group further calls on the government to consider very seriously the need to employ more staff into the sector to replace those who are retiring.
“Following the achievements recorded so far by the present administration of the union (RATTAWU) led by Comrade (Dr) Kabir Garba Tsanni, the Trade Group moved a vote of confidence on the leadership of the union, the statement added.
The Cultural Trade Group is one of the pressure groups within the RATTAWU. Its composition is made up of National Officers of the Union, Chairmen/Secretaries of State Councils and Chapters within the Cultural Sector of RATTAWU.