Nationalists make case for culture, creative economy
Nationalists, including culture enthusiasts, playwrights, monarchs, youth ambassadors and business leaders, have canvassed stronger investment in culture and the creative economy as a pathway to peaceful co-existence and sustainable development
Nationalists, including culture enthusiasts, playwrights, monarchs, youth ambassadors and business leaders, have canvassed stronger investment in culture and the creative economy as a pathway to peaceful co-existence and sustainable development in Nigeria. They spoke recently in Lagos at Reflections and Fests – an International Gathering Celebrating Nigeria, where participants agreed that socio-economic and political activities thrive best in peaceful societies, noting that culture remains a potent tool for reducing tensions, strengthening dialogue and attracting both local and foreign investments.
Speaking on the theme, “Harnessing Cultures in Nigeria for National Peace and Unity,” the General Manager of the National Theatre, now the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, Tola Akerele, said culture has the unique ability to succeed where politics often fails.
Represented by the Head, Human Resource Management of the centre, Bunmi Jimoh, Akerele noted that culture “softens the ground where dialogue can happen,” adding that music, theatre and storytelling can heal divisions and bridge deep-seated suspicions.
Advertisement
300x250
According to her, Nigeria’s cultural heritage is not optional in fostering national unity, especially at a time when young people are redefining identity through digital tools, music, film, theatre and fashion. She said the responsibility of leaders and institutions is to amplify these creative expressions of unity.
Akerele urged Nigerians to imagine a country where cultural exchange becomes a national mindset, stressing that true peace lies in mutual appreciation of the nation’s diverse histories, languages and traditions.
Convener of the event, Biodun-Thomas Davids, journalist and dramatist, made a strong case for the creative economy, describing Nigeria’s ethno-cultural diversity as a vast economic asset waiting to be fully harnessed.
Davids said Nigeria’s over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages, enriched by regional traditions, fashion, dance and folklore, present immense opportunities for tourism and global cultural trade. According to him, beyond unity, culture has the potential to attract significant foreign exchange if properly developed. He added that Nigeria’s differences and grievances are not insurmountable, noting that solutions can always be found without resorting to division.
Read Also: Puncturing the culture of silence
Advertisement
300x250
Delivering the keynote address on Youth as a Catalyst for Fostering National and International Peace, Unity and Progress in Nigeria, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobalaji Ogunlende, stated economic empowerment of young people as a critical but often overlooked pillar of peace-building.
Represented by Ambassador Obadare Adenekan, Ogunlende said youths who feel productive and economically secure are less vulnerable to extremism and anti-social behaviour, stressing that economic inclusion breeds ownership, which in turn strengthens unity.
He called for strategic partnerships rather than charity, urging stakeholders to invest in youth-led ventures through mentorship, technical support and improved regulatory access to insulate the nation from economic volatility.
Explaining the concept behind Reflections and Fests, Davids said the initiative is two-pronged: “Reflections,” which interrogates socio-ethno-religious issues often responsible for civic unrest, and “Fests,” which celebrates Nigeria’s cultural diversity, natural heritage, fashion and multilingual rhythms.
He added that the international dimension of the programme is designed to strengthen bilateral relations, particularly with countries that have expatriate communities in Nigeria. Davids also announced that season two of the event, scheduled for the last quarter of the year, will feature a full-length stage performance of Cry for Change, a play that blends reflections on Nigeria’s challenges with a celebration of its rich cultural pageantry. According to him, the upcoming edition will be a colourful showcase, with cultural troupes from across the country and audiences drawn from different nationalities.
