As the world marks the 2019 World Art Day, the Africa Union, Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) Nigeria has called on government at all levels to tap into the potential in the art and culture sector to solve the problem of youth unemployment.
World Art Day was declared by the International Association of Art (IAA/AIAP) in partnership with UNESCO as an international celebration of the fine arts and to promote awareness of creative activity worldwide.
A statement jointly signed by the two Nigeria representatives, Dr. Tunji Asaolu and Mr Oba Olasunkanmi John Monday in Abuja, said there is growing international interest in the potential of the cultural and art industries to drive sustainable development and create inclusive job opportunities.
The Council believes that with art and culture estimated to generate US$250 billion in revenue annually, and creating 29.5 million jobs worldwide, government at all levels must find a way of tapping into this sector to empower it large population of youth.
The Council states further that for Africa to achieve it aspiration of a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values, ethics and African where cultural renaissance is pre-eminent, member state must give attention to investment in the sector.
The statement reads in part :”The diversity nature of Africa Art, brings the beauty of the continent’s heritage out and make the sector economically viable for members states to explore.
“We therefore want to call on Nigeria government to focus attention on this sector, develop it to be economically viable. It is important that children in the basic and secondary schools are sensitise to express their creativeness in art while our culture which is our identity should not be allowed to died in the heart and minds of our youth.”
