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Minister inaugurates Post-COVID-19 Committee for creative industry

By Nkechi Onyedika-Ugoeze, Abuja
19 May 2020   |   3:29 pm
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has inaugurated the Post-Covid-19 Initiatives Committee for the Creative Industry, with a call on all members of the industry to support the committee in the interest of the industry.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed PHOTO: Twitter

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has inaugurated the Post-Covid-19 Initiatives Committee for the Creative Industry, with a call on all members of the
industry to support the committee in the interest of the industry.

Speaking at the virtual inauguration of the committee yesterday in Abuja, the minister described the Creative Industry as a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic diversification policy of this Administration.

Lai Mohammed noted that in view of the devastating impact of Covid-19 on the Creative Industry, it has become imperative to have a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate, short and
long term economic stimulus and initiatives for the industry, in order to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the sector.

He said, ““Two weeks ago, I announced the establishment of this committee. In doing so, I said the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on the nation, and that the Creative Industry has been particularly hard hit,
considering the fact that it is an industry that has people-interaction at its core. I also said that instead of addressing these problems piecemeal, we should do so holistically for a more positive outcome”,.

The minister observed that the committee membership, as announced two weeks ago, has now been expanded to include as many sectors as possible to ensure a fair representation.

He noted that while the committee cannot accommodate all members of the industry, it is certain that all members will benefit from its work. I therefore want to implore the entire industry to support this committee.” This is no time for division. All hands must be on deck so the industry can rebound,” he said.

While commending members of the Committee for their sacrifice and love of country, he urged them to do justice to the assignment, which will culminate in suitable recommendations that will help the industry to
thrive and expand.

In his response, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Ali Baba, expressed the appreciation that the Creative Industry has been given a pride of place under this administration because of its huge contribution to the diversification of the nation’s economy.

He assured that members of the committee will work in unison to represent the entire creative industry and not just their respective
sectors.

The Committee’s Terms of Reference are: Assess the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general; advise the Government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector as well as to create succour for the industry small businesses; suggest the type of
taxation and financing that is best for the industry at this time to encourage growth and advise the Government on any other measure or
measures that can be undertaken to support the industry.

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