Abuja (Nigeria) – The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described the staged musical extravaganza, ‘Wakaa, The Musical’ as one of the best in both depth and story line, saying, the production can be ranked high anywhere in the world.
He made this known in a statement issued in London on Sunday after watching the London Edition of the show at the Shaw Theatre West End, last Friday night.
According to him, there was no dull moment in the entire package. He said, “I am proud of the producer and the entire cast.”
He urged investors to support the Nigerian Creative Industry in order to boost the sector. ”We must find a way to promote the sector and I am using this opportunity to appeal to the private sector to invest heavily to give the sector the desired muscle as this drama has brought to the fore, the quantum of potentials that can be tapped.”
Earlier, at a panel discussion that preceded the show, the Minister said the Federal Government is working hard to turn the creative industry into a creative economy. He said, “This administration is diversifying the economy away from oil which, for many years, has been the mainstay of our economy.
“Among the sectors that have been identified as veritable sources of revenue for the nation are the arts, culture and tourism sectors. This is why we in the Ministry of Information and Culture are working hard to move these sectors from the margins to the mainstream, and ensure that the rural poor, in particular, are factored into the sector’s architecture,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed added that, the Ministry is working with local and international partners like the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council, which will pay special attention to the capacity building of culture and tourism managers in a deliberate effort to revive the nation’s creative arts, boost tourism and create employment for Nigerians, particularly the rural dwellers.
Wakaa, The Musical, which has been shown to great acclaim in Nigeria, has become the first Nigerian-produced musical to be performed at a London theatre.
