Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Federal Government has unfolded plans to establish the ‘Renewed Hope Cultural Villages’ across the 36 states of the federation.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Abiola Abdulkareem, disclosed this in a statement Monday.

He said the idea was to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and boost the creative industry.

He added that the project was part of the Federal Government’s ‘Renewed Hope Cultural Project.’

He said it was aimed at preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage, promoting tourism and driving economic growth.

Abdulkareem added that the cultural villages would be established in collaboration with state governments.

The development, he said, would help in transforming historic sites into vibrant creative hubs, fostering economic growth and job creation in the arts and entertainment sectors.

He said the project will focus on restoring and conserving historic sites, monuments, palaces and artifacts, as well as enhancing cultural education and capacity building in local crafts.

Part of the statement read: “The project’s success relies on the active participation and collaboration of state governments, local communities and stakeholders. 

“By working together, Nigeria can unlock the transformative power of its arts, culture, tourism and creative industries for sustainable development and social cohesion. 

“The initiative, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economy, creating thousands of jobs and generating revenue through tourism and creative enterprises.”

Abdulkareem explained that the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hajia Hannatu Musa Musawa, was committed to boosting Nigeria’s economy through innovative programmes and policies. 

He said: “To achieve this, she’s forging partnerships to develop the creative industry, unlocking job opportunities for the country’s youth. 

“This comprehensive approach, he said, will not only enhance Nigeria’s creative industry but also contribute to the country’s economic diversification and development.” 

He noted that the National Economic Council (NEC) has already approved the project, paving the way for the transformation of Nigeria’s creative industry.

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