The Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, has declared that culture is very important to the President Goodluck Jonathan-led Government Transformation Agenda.
The SGF, who stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2nd Meeting of the Bureau of the 3rd African Union Conference of Minsters of Culture (CAMC 3), in NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, noted that to ensure the successful implementation of the transformation agenda, the issue of Culture in Nigeria has taken a new dimension. Stating that the seriousness of this dimension informed why he cut short his trip to Lagos to attend the ceremony, Senator Anyim promised that Government would ensure speedy implementation of the resolutions of the conference.
Continuing, Sen. Anyim commended the Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, for his efforts towards the realization of the set objectives of the Transformation Agenda through culture: “The issue of culture has taken a new dimension in Nigeria, because culture is very important to our transformation agenda. The Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, is really doing well as the engine room of culture in this regard. I can assure you of effective and speedy implementation of the resolutions in this meeting, which he is the chairman. It is through this that we can impact on our economy through culture and bring about the desired transformation in the continent.’’
The Minister in his address, assured that with the transformation agenda as the bedrock of Nigeria’s development, the 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria with 774 Local Government in the 36 states with about 500 languages, would deploy culture as a tool to unify the people: “This is a time to transform Nigeria with culture. We must encourage togetherness in the midst of our multi-ethnicity and various languages. The youths will be encouraged to use culture to project Nigeria. The objectives of this meeting will look into all these, so that we review the implementation of cultural renaissance and share values as well as review the report of the feasibility study of the Pan-African Cultural Institute.”
The two-day Conference, which will also review the preparation for the establishment of the Pan African Union Space within the new African Union Commission Conference Centre and office, has Ministers of Culture from African Countries, top Government functionaries, heads of parastatals, and directors in the ministry in attendance.
Nwagbo Nnenyelike
Corporate Affairs