Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has described as a ‘game changer’ the ongoing photo exhibition in Abuja by a daughter of the country’s President, Hanan Buhari, saying her uncommon passion for photography will encourage more young people to showcase their creativity.
“This exhibition is a game changer. A game changer in the sense that it is going to change the perception of our people towards the Creative Industry. I am using the word Creative Industry in a very elastic manner to include film, music, photography, interior decoration, architecture and publishing. The truth of the matter is that this is the future of Nigeria,” the Minister said at the opening of the exhibition, tagged ”INNOVATION BY HANAN”.
”In my generation, our parents wanted us to be lawyers, doctors, engineers and accountants. It was very unusual in those days to see a parent that will encourage his son or daughter to take to the Creative Industry,” he said, adding: ”This is no longer the case. Regardless of background, gender, or education, the new and next generation are totally consumed by this Creative sector.”
Mr. Mohammed said the work of Hanan would change the perception of people towards the Creative Industry, which is no longer for drop-outs and the less-privileged in the society, but a sector for the highly talented.
“What we are witnessing today is an endorsement from the highest quarter that the Creative Industry is that area of our economy, which we have not really paid enough attention to,” he said.
The Minister said the present administration has demonstrated beyond doubt that it is committed to moving the Creative Industry from the back burner to the front burner of the economy through various initiatives, including the granting of pioneer status to the sector, capacity building, and exploring creative approach to funding.
He said the government’s target is to ensure that the Creative Industry contributes about 5% to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the next few years, from its present contribution of 1.34%.
In her remarks, Hanan said she is inspired by her passion to show the world another side of Nigeria through unique photographs.
She encouraged the youths to always carry their parents along on issues bothering on their passion and career path in order to enable them excel in their chosen profession.
“You should always stand for yourself and let your parents know what you want to do,” she said.
Wife of Nigeria’s President, Aisha Buhari; Director Generals of the National Tourism Development Board, Folarin Coker, and the National Gallery of Arts, Abdullahi Muku; the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Bayo Onanuga; ace photographer T.Y. Bello and some members of the diplomatic corps also witnessed the opening of the exhibition.
