Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT), Bayelsa, Prof. Barclays Ayakoroma, has advocated innovative approach to branding Nigeria’s arts and culture products for increased export.
In a statement by his media aide, Mr. Tonye Yemolegha, the acting VC said increased export of such products would shore up earnings and gross domestic product.
Ayakoroma said the increase could be achieved through cultural rejuvenation and deliberate generational transfer of cultural talents.
According to him, the increase could also be achieved through adequate investment by governments to fully harness abundant cultural tourism potential. He added that the Annang Festival of Arts and Culture (AFAC), recently held in the state, along with similar programmes, needed holistic transformation for global competitiveness.
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Ayakoroma noted that reinventing culture as a gateway to national development also entailed introduction of entrepreneurial components that would drive dependency for sustenance and expansion of the culture and arts sector.
He said the cultural policy of any country would remain a strong binding factor that would enhance nationalism and unity.
He called for continuous review of Nigeria’s cultural policy, which he noted, was signed in August 1988 by the then Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
“Culture is a vital component of national development as it is a tool for driving economic growth, social cohesion, peaceful-co-existence as well as political stability.
“We must, therefore, explore every channel to tap from it,” Ayakoroma said.