- L-R: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Hon Shina Peller
…As industry becomes global driver of employment, economic growth, innovation and social cohesion
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A member of the House of Representatives, Hon Shina Peller, has begged the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to increase the budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act for optimum performance of the nation’s creative industry, as the industry now becomes global driver of employment, economic growth, innovation and social cohesion.
Peller, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, made the call while sharing on his social media handles the video of himself moving a motion on the floor of the House on the urgent need to strengthen the creative industry.
Peller observed that globally, creative industry has become a driver of employment, economic growth, innovation and social cohesion, adding that Nigeria’s creative industry contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP, offering legitimate employment to people, thereby making it the second largest employer of labour after agriculture.
He said: “As Nigeria transitions into a new government, I urge the incoming administration to increase the budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Information and Culture in the 2024 Appropriation Act for optimal performance in the nation’s creative industry.
“This is an industry that contributes significantly to the nation’s GDP, offering legitimate employment to people, thereby making it the second largest employer of labour after agriculture.
“To move this sector forward, we need young and vibrant youths to churn out policy reforms that can drive growth and development and attract investment opportunities.”
The Oke Ogun-born federal lawmaker in the said motion, which has been adopted by the House of Reps, observed that Nigeria’s film sector (Nollywood) is one of the most lucrative and active creative industries which contributes about 2% to the country’s GDP generating annual revenue of N208 billion.
He also noted that Nigerian music sector, which produces over 550 albums annually, must be strengthened to aid the country’s economic growth.
In the motion, he had listed the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu (Burna Boy), David Adedeji Adeleke (Davido) and others as major actors in the Nigerian music industry who made and are making the country proud globally with their record-breaking feats.
The motion noted: “At the global level, the late Afrobeat creator, Fela Anikulapo-kuti is perhaps the most iconic musician to have come out of Nigeria until recently when Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu(Burna Boy) a Nigerian singer and song writer won best international Act at the 2019 BET Awards and was also nominated for the best world music Album at 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. He also won Best International Act at the 2021 BET Awards.
“Recently, top Nigerian Artist Davido’s album titled ‘Timeless’ has featured over 10 million user-generated playlists on Spotify. Also the album had over 12 million streams in 24 hours, this was the first time an album would achieve such a feat.”
Recall that Hon Peller, who is the Ayedero of Yorubaland, is a major actor in the creative industry. Aside being the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the famous nightclub, Club Quilox, he is also the founder and owner of Aquila Records, a music record label which had dropped many hits even before he ventured into politics.
Some of the hits include; Ayepo by Airboy featuring Burnaboy; Slow whyne by Que Peller; Werey Re Rmx by Base One featuring Phyno and Olamide; Believe by Naomi Peller; Capable by Beezy; Oni Reason by Tillaman featuring Davido, just to mention a few.
So, as a major stakeholder in the creative industry, Peller, who had on March 1, 2023, publicly congratulated Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his election victory, urged him to strengthen the industry by giving it support in the areas of access to finance, skills and capacity development, infrastructure, intellectual property protection, royal control, development of creative clusters, international strategy, among others.
Peller has always been an advocate, supporter and sponsor of youth-driven initiatives, successfully training 1,700 young Nigerians on effective leadership skills, strategic communication, civic responsibility, active citizenship and nation building through his NGO, Lead Generation Initiative (LGI).(agency)/SHARE THIS
- Tags: Hon Shina Peller, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Creative industry
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