Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kehinde Akintola
Published on 2024-03-10 20:05:59
The Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, recently reached out to Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, seeking his support in developing strategies for the promotion and preservation of literary art in Nigeria. The Minister visited the renowned playwright, who currently serves as a visiting Professor at New York University Abu Dhabi, to discuss leveraging his vast experience in enriching the country’s cultural heritage.
During the visit, the Minister expressed her admiration for Professor Soyinka and emphasized the importance of tapping into his wealth of knowledge to enhance the arts, culture, and creative economy sector. She highlighted the establishment of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy as a significant step towards recognizing and nurturing Nigeria’s diverse cultural content, including music, films, fashion, and literary arts. The Minister stressed the need to prioritize the preservation of literary works by implementing policies to combat piracy and plagiarism.
Notable literary figures such as Professor Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Adichie, Professor Okey Ndibe, and Professor Wole Soyinka himself were acknowledged by the Minister as pillars of Nigeria’s literary landscape. She expressed her desire to see Professor Soyinka take a lead role in shaping strategies to encourage the younger generation to embrace and celebrate their cultural identity.
According to the statement from the Minister’s Special Adviser on Media, the discussion with Professor Soyinka also touched on initiatives aimed at promoting cultural diversity, fostering artistic and creative development, and utilizing arts and culture for international diplomacy. The Minister looked forward to a fruitful collaboration with Professor Soyinka for the advancement of arts, culture, and the creative economy in Nigeria.
In response, Professor Soyinka welcomed the Minister’s visit and underscored the importance of preserving Nigeria’s culture and tradition. He emphasized the universal nature of culture and called for efforts to promote indigenous languages and cultures to uphold moral values across the country. Reflecting on the challenges facing performing artists in Nigeria, Professor Soyinka highlighted the need for collaboration and support among various creative individuals to expand opportunities for artistic expression.
As a Nobel Laureate in Literature, Professor Soyinka emphasized the significance of the arts as a reflection of people’s essence, spirituality, and dignity. He urged for the return of looted cultural works to Africa, emphasizing the importance of preserving and showcasing the continent’s artistic heritage.
Overall, the meeting between the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy and Professor Wole Soyinka highlighted the commitment to advancing Nigeria’s cultural sector and working together to preserve and promote the country’s rich literary heritage. Both parties expressed eagerness to collaborate on initiatives that would benefit the arts, culture, and creative economy in Nigeria, ultimately contributing to the nation’s cultural growth and international presence.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
