The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has said that the 2024 World Culture Day was an opportunity to foster mutual understanding and reflect on the cultural diversity of Nigerians.
Making the call at the 2024 edition of the World Culture Day celebration held at the Chinese Cultural Centre in Abuja, she called on Nigerians at home and the diaspora to find ways and means of projecting our rich cultures and heritage to the world through creative mediums such as film, music, fashion, folklore, and other creative and cultural expressions.
Represented by the Director overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr Raphael Obi Oraeluno, Musawa said: “We must all continue to take pride in our shared stories and preparedness response and recovery of our cultural heritage in our quest to continuously celebrate and promote the beauty of our diverse rich cultural heritage.”
In her welcome address, the Director, Entertainment and Creative Economy, in the ministry, Mrs Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, welcomed all dignitaries, saying, “We are gathered here today not only to celebrate culture, but also reflect on our national life and explore ways of telling the Nigerian story through art, culture, tourism and creativity.”
She added: “Nigerian culture has continued to inspire various artistic expressions from music, films, fashion, photography, arts and crafts, etc, providing a veritable platform for Nigerian creatives and stakeholders to thrive and tap into the vast resources of our unique culture in creating various forms of art that have continued to make tremendous impact globally.”
The Director, Chinese Cultural Centre, Mr Yang JicmXing, spoke on the importance of cultural revival and its preservation through various cultural activities for the future generations.
According to him, China’s cultural heritage, heritage sites and monuments are well preserved not only for tourists but also for awareness and education for the young Chinese generations.
He called for more collaboration between Nigeria and China in culture.
Rev. Dr. Ben Anamah during his closing remarks, thanked all the dignitaries and members for gracing the occasion.
He emphasised the need for collaboration, inclusion and mutual understanding as key drivers of sustainable cultural peace and development.
Highlights of the celebration included paper presentations by two former Directors of Culture, Mr Babajide Ajibola, and Mrs Ugo Uyah Agata, and the interactive panel session that added glamour with presentations by Mrs Idu Lah, Mr Sunday Agbai-Lead, Mrs Ruby David, Mr B.K Sobaya, and Mr Shittu Abdullahi.
