The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, has described the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka as a literary
legend, reports ITRealms.
Speaking at the Command Performance of one of Prof.
Soyinka's books, the "Death and the King's Horseman", in
commemoration of the 30th anniversary of his winning the Nobel Prize in
Literature, the Minister said Prof. Soyinka’s literary creativity, ingenuity
and contributions to the growth and development of literature and dramatic arts
can easily be described as legendary.
"He has continued to play vital roles in the
development of Arts, Culture and Democracy in Nigeria and around the world. On
behalf of the Ministry, I salute Professor Soyinka and wish him longer
life so that this exemplary Nigerian and global citizen can continue to make us
proud," he said.
The Minister recalled the epochal event 30 years ago, and
said the Nobel Prize in Literature was a historic moment for the Creative Industry,
for Nigeria and for Africa ''because it was the first time that a Nigerian, an
African and indeed a black writer will be named a recipient of the prestigious
Nobel Prize in Literature".
He used the occasion to harp on the enormous potential of
Nigeria in the Creative Industry, particularly the performing arts, and the
rich cultural heritage which, he said, if gainfully harnessed will further
drive tourism and significantly lift the Nigerian economy.
"I am glad to report that our efforts to lift the
Creative Industry have received support from President Muhammadu Buhari. Not
only has the President rallied support for the sector, he has also directed that
such support must reflect in the budget of the Ministry of Information and
Culture in 2017. We will leverage on such high level support to further our
plan to develop our country's Creative Industry and also enhance its
contribution to the national economy," he said.
The Minister disclosed that part of the strategies adopted
by the Ministry to develop the Creative Industry is the signing of Memoranda of
Understanding with the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council on
capacity building, especially the training of Festival Managers, as well as
linking the industry to the business world.
He said an an innovative part of the collaboration is the
plan to convene a Creative Economy Task Force to map the Creative Industry to
provide a better picture of what is happening and develop policies that will
fast-track the development of the sector.
Alhaji Mohammed solicited the support of stakeholders in the
performing arts towards the successful implementation of the administration's
national reorientation campaign, CHANGE BEGINS WITH ME, which is aimed at
bringing back the time-tested values that once defined Nigerians as a people.
Uj. N. Dominic/GEE
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Pix: Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed and Artistic Director of the National Troupe Akin Adejuwon in a group photograph with members of the National Troupe during the Command Performance of "Death and the King's Horseman" in Lagos, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the award of Nobel Prize to Prof. Wole Soyinka
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