POST COVID-19: Lai Mohammed unveils stimulus committee for creative industry

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By Francis Ogwo

As part of efforts at giving the creative industry a soft landing from the harsh effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on the sectors of the economy, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, inaugurated the Post-COVID-19 Initiatives Committee for the creative industry.

This was contained in a release signed on May 19, by Segun Adeyemi, Special Assistant to the President on Media at the Office of the Minister of Information and Culture, Abuja.

The inauguration which was conducted virtually came with a call on the generality of the industry to support the commitment towards achieving a collective interest.

“The Committee’s membership, as announced two weeks ago, has now been expanded to include as many sectors as possible. This is to ensure fair representation,” the Minister added during the ceremony in his office in Abuja on Tuesday.

”However, while the committee cannot accommodate all members of the industry, it is certain that all members will benefit from its work. I therefore, want to implore the entire industry to support this committee. This is no time for division. All hands must be on deck so the industry can rebound,” he said.

According to the Minister, the Creative Industry represents a vital project needful for the achievement of the diversification policy of the Buhari-led government, while adding that it is needful at this time when the economy is experiencing the harshness of the pandemic to have a government-supported strategy towards managing the immediate, short and long term economic stimulus and other plans for the sector which would help it survive the impact.

“Two weeks ago, I announced the establishment of this committee. In doing so, I said the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on the nation, and that the Creative Industry has been particularly hard hit, considering the fact that it is an industry that has people-interaction at its core. I also said that instead of addressing these problems piecemeal, we should do so holistically for a more positive outcome”, The Minister added.

He urged the members of the committee to keep on the patriotic spirit shown in their sacrifice while challenging them to carry out their given assignments towards the benefit of the industry.

While responding, popular comedian and Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Ali Baba, thanked the government for recognizing the creative industry as a pivotal part of the non-oil revenue projects of the country and assured of his members’ resolve to work collectively to achieve the collective goal of the entire Creative Industry.

The Terms of Reference of the committee include “Assess the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general; advise the Government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector as well as to create succor for the industry small businesses; suggest the type of taxation and financing that is best for the industry at this time to encourage growth and advise the Government on any other measure or measures that can be undertaken to support the industry”
Members of the 22 member Committee include:

1. Ali Baba – Comedy, Film and TV (Chairman)

2. Hajia Sa’a Ibrahim – Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria
(BON) – Vice-Chairman

3. Bolanle Austen Peters – Film and Performing Arts

4. Charles Novia – Television and Independent Producer

5. Segun Arinze- Actor and Producer

6. Ali Jita – Actor and Musician

7. Baba Agba – Film Director

8. Kene Okwuosa – Cinema and Distribution

9. Efe Omoregbe – Record label and Collective Rights Management

10. Prince Daniel Aboki – Radio and Film

11. Chioma Ude – Streaming

12. Olumade Adesemowo – Television and Platform (FreeTV)

13. Dare Art Alade – Livespot Entertainment

14. Oliver Enwonwu – President, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA)

15. Alhaji Saleh Rabo – President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria

16. Bala Hassan – Booksellers Association

17 Ali Nuhu – Kannywood

18 Tajudeen Owoyemi – Hotels

19. B.M. Dzukogi – Association of Nigerian Authors

20. TY Bello – Photography

21. Lanre Da Silva Ajayi – Fashion

22. Anita Eboigbe – Secretary

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