The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musawa, asserts that the federal government is ready to collaborate with all 36 state governments along with the private sector to attain their objective of reaching a $100 billion economy.
Musawa conveyed these comments in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during his visit where he was hosted by Chief Lai Labode, a cultural entrepreneur and the CEO of Lai Labode Heritage Foundation.
Labode is the principal advocate for 'Egbaliganza,' a cultural revival initiative focused on showcasing the distinctive style of the Egba community through their attire.
Musawa revealed that a memorandum has already received approval from the Federal Executive Council to recognize the various cultural attributes and distinctive features of each state with the aim of promoting economic growth via creative cultural initiatives.
As Labode highlighted, the foundation showed its willingness to work together with the Federal Government to capitalize on the $500 billion African fashion industry.
He revealed that Egbaland will be hosting a Fashion Olympics in 2026, with around 50 African nations taking part.
Labode expressed disappointment that Africa accounts for just 1.2% of the worldwide fashion industry, which is valued at $30 billion. He also stated that Egbaland aims to guide Africa towards achieving a $500 billion fashion economy.
He stated: "We have resolved to initiate something unprecedented for Egbaland, and as part of our efforts towards achieving this, we launched the Egba Fashion Celebration called Egbaliganza. This endeavor owes much to Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, who supported us unwaveringly amidst numerous challenges."
Currently, Africa holds just 1.2% of the worldwide fashion industry, amounting to roughly $30 billion. Given the resources available in Africa, the continent has significant potential for growth in this sector.
The Egba people have once more chosen to take the lead from their role as a birthplace of numerous innovations, aiming to guide Africa towards a $500 billion fashion industry. However, this target signifies that substantial efforts will be necessary.
“In 2026, (may) God give us life, good health and more resources, (during) Egbaliganza 2026 to be led by Oba Gbadebo, we will sign historic charters in Egbaland to lead us to where we need to go.
We will endorse an African Confederation of Fashion Charter, join forces with the Nigerian Fashion Federation, and for the very first time in global history, establish aFashion Olympics known as the Africa Fashion Olympics. This significant event will also witness the signing of the charter right here in Egbaland.
The Executive Director of Administration and Projects at the foundation, Chief Abdulhakeem Owolabi, requested the minister’s support to develop a National Cultural Heritage Museum through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Owolabi stated that the program intends to conserve, highlight, and advance the country’s extensive and varied cultural legacy while also boosting tourism, education, and economic growth.
Musawa also expressed the federal government’s readiness, through her ministry, to partner Ogun State and the Lai Labode Heritage Foundation on the proposed Fashion Olympics with the aim of hitting the $100bn economy billion target of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy.
She praised the foundation for organizing the inaugural fashion event called 'Egbaliganza'.
She stated, "President Bola Tinubu’s objective is to ensure that we function not just as a unified body but as a single nation bolstered to promote and advance our culture. We aim to achieve economic progress via cultural innovation and tourism. The most effective approach to accomplish this is by avoiding isolated efforts; instead, we should collaborate and integrate our ideas with those from the private sector."
The Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council have already endorsed the proposal I discussed, urging us to collaborate. Additionally, the president has launched the Renewed Hope Culture Program, aiming to document each village’s distinct cultural aspects along with the unique characteristics specific to each state.
When visiting Ogun State, it’s essential to examine Egbaliganza. This initiative demonstrates how federal and state governments can collaborate with private sectors to foster economic development. The aim is to achieve an economic output of $100 billion as targeted by my ministry and reach a staggering $1 trillion, which is the vision set forth by the president.
During the event, Governor Dapo Abiodun emphasized the state’s commitment to positioning itself as Nigeria’s leading center for education, industry, and tourism.
In place of himself, Governor Salako-Oyedele was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele. The governor stated that their administration had instituted a policy making it obligatory for civil servants within the state to sport Adire garments every Friday. This initiative aims at increasing the visibility of this traditional cloth and enhancing the financial well-being of those who create and sell Adire products.
He stated that his administration's choice had increased the economic worth of Adire and provided numerous employment opportunities within the state.
In his kind gesture speech, ex-Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba commended the organizers of Egbaliganza for showcasing Egba culture and heritage globally.
Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the esteemed monarch and supreme leader of Egbaland known as the Alake, praised the Foundation for recognizing and showcasing the profound cultural legacy of the Egbas globally. He assured them of unwavering backing from him along with other children of Egbaland towards achieving this mission of promoting their culture.
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