Abuja: The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) has expressed its commitment to supporting young creatives as they strive for self-reliance. The ministry made the commitment at the empowerment programme for schoolgirls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of activities to mark the 2024 National Creativity Week (NCW).
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), no fewer than 80 students participated in the empowerment programme held on Saturday at Stella Maris Schools, Life Camp, with special training on natural hair care, wig making, and the production of natural hair oil. The event with the theme, ‘Transforming World, Promoting Sustainable Development’, is organised by the ministry in collaboration with Photizo Life Foundation. The National Creativity Week is aimed at celebrating the power of creativity to provide empowerment, particularly for youths and children.
The initiative is an offshoot of the Creative Africa Initiative programme of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Ghana 2008, and is celebrated globally as the World Creativity and Innovation Day. In his opening speech, Mr. Raphael Oraeluno, Permanent Secretary, FMACTCE, said Nigeria’s productive future was only possible if the unique talents and creative ingenuity of youths were properly utilised. He emphasised the importance of discovering, nurturing, and showcasing the innate creative potentials and talents of the young attendees.
Oraeluno highlighted the role of creativity in bringing about economic transformation and empowering individuals to envision new ideas. He underscored the Creative Economy’s potential to reduce poverty, unemployment, violence, and restiveness among the youth while promoting wealth creation, foreign earnings, and enhancing the Nation’s GDP. He commended the Honourable Minister and the ministry for their efforts in ensuring the success of the event, encouraging participants to seize the opportunity to nurture their God-given talents and creative abilities.
Representing Oraeluno, Mrs. Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director of Entertainment and Creative Economy in the ministry, conveyed Oraeluno’s message. In her presentation, Mrs. Adanna Enwezor, Founder of Photizo Life Foundation, remarked on the training’s objective to provide basic skills on natural hair and highlight economic opportunities within the industry.
Mrs. Ekemini Ladejobi, natural hair enthusiast and Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Creative Arts, Culture and Tourism of NAN, praised the organisers for their initiative and urged students to take the training seriously, as the knowledge gained would benefit them personally and professionally.
Participants expressed their gratitude to the organisers, with Popoola Arinlade, Assistant Head Girl of Stella Maris College, Life Camp, appreciating the learning opportunity to grow her natural hair with confidence. Christabel Akperobe, a JSS 1 student, shared how the training educated her on managing her hair and avoiding damaging chemical treatments.