Nigeria Inaugurates Inter-Ministerial Committee on Africa Global Festival

The Nigerian Government has inaugurated an 8-man Inter-Ministerial Committee on African Global Festival, Nigeria, AGLOFEST.

While inaugurating the committee in Abuja, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume said the implications of the festival is to build a solid base for the economy through diversification by tapping resources from the cultural background.

The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri said Nigeria is culturally blessed with unique cultural identity.

“With over 250 diverse ethnic groups, each cultural group has a unique cultural identity that, when brought together and explored and marketed, it will go a long way to building up a solid base on our economy.”

He commended the delegation for their initiative to craft the concept.

“Now that the economy is looking bright, His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu is desirous of improving the well-being of Nigerians, improving the economy of Nigeria through diverse revenue sources to take away slight attention from oil revenue that has been the bane of our economy for decades,” he said.

Mr. Akume added that the project will create youth engagement, discourage social vices and open more doors for employment.

While inaugurating the Inter-Ministerial Committee, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, stated that the Committee was approved by President Bola Tinubu with the aim of improving the nation’s Gross Domestic Products.

Speaking earlier, the Convener of the African Global Festival Nigeria (AGLOFEST), Dr. Mac Babatunde said that when fully harnessed, the African Global Festival will in the next five years, yield around $20 billion worth of investment into the various sectors of the creative economy.

He added that the goal of the AGLOFEST is beyond celebrating the nation’s cultural music and dance.

“It is also about discussing business opportunities available in Nigeria where people in the Diaspora could invest.”

Also representing the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation, Mr. Manji Diyal said the platform provides an opportunity for the Centre to bring a Homegrown festival that will attract all the diasporas including Africans on the Caribbean and different parts of the world.

“In every ten black people, it’s agreed that one is a Nigerian and because of that, we’ve to work the talk to ensure that Nigeria as a destination is fully known for its rich cultural heritage, not just by Africans on the continent, but Africans everywhere,” he narrated.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee which has the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume as Chairman has members drawn from the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Department of State Services; and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.