The Federal Government has disclosed that plans are on going to establish a national museum and a national theatre in a ‘Creative City’ to be located in Abuja.
According to The PUNCH, the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, stated this in a statement signed by her Special Assistant on Media, Nneka Ikem made available to newsmen on Friday while defending the budget of her ministry before the Senate Committee on Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy on Thursday at the National Assembly
Musawa noted that the establishment two projects are top on the list of projects of the ministry and they are intended to create jobs for Nigerians.
She said, however, this can only be achieved when the Senate passes the budget before it.
While bemoaning that the ministry has been grossly underfunded, the Minister enjoined the Senate Committee to upscale its allocation in the 2024 budget.
She said, “The ministry has been grossly underfunded, and we will be unable to achieve anything of significance without the right funding.
“The potential of this ministry is astronomical if we tap into that so we would like to see what we can do at the legislative level to give the ministry the kind of funding and support that we require to achieve our vision within the roadmap, to be able to achieve the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
“In line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, the ministry has committed to an aspirational target of N100bn contribution to the nation’s GDP by 2030 and also to the establishment of major projects, which include the building of a National Theatre and National Museum in Abuja among other projects.”
Musawa had earlier pointed out the ministry’s drive to reposition Nigeria through its numerous proposed projects.
She identified the significance and potential of the creative economy and the ministry’s core functions, which include attracting foreign investment, cultural promotion and preservation, amongst others, in line with Section 21 of the 1999 Constitution.
“We have set high key performance indicators for the ministry, and we are ready to hit the aspirational targets which we have set for ourselves.
“This is a new ministry which is also trying to create jobs and in addition, establish an intellectual property framework which will harness the culture and creativity of Nigeria. This, therefore will require adequate financial provision,” Musawa stated.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Senator Mohammed Onawo, commende the minister for her initiatives to establish a national museum and theatre in Abuja while stating that the budget review was to aid her in discharging her duties efficiently and realising her dreams for the ministry.
“The committee encourages frequent interactions over the course of the year to achieve more synergy and ensure enhanced collaboration with the Senate,” the senator said.
A member of the committee, Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central, also alluded to the poor budgetary allocation, raising concerns about how the ministry intended to execute major projects with the meagre allocation.
