Association seeks FG’s assistance to improve arts, crafts works
NAN-ELS-1
Crafts
By Cecilia Odey
Abuja, May 25, 2017 (NAN) The Association of Arts and Crafts Works in Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to assist the association to ensure effective development of the arts work in the country.
Mr Shaibu Lawal, the National Secretary of the association, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Lawal said that the arts and crafts village, Abuja, was yet to feel the impact of the government, stressing that the level of development in the area was not encouraging.
The national secretary explained that if the arts and crafts works are assisted it would contribute to the economic development and job creation in the country.
According to him, the sector is suffering in silence and there is need for government to show interest and encourage the people in the arts sector.
“The village is in serious need of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to meet with members of the association to address some issues of concern in the sector.
“Lai Mohammed should convene an urgent town hall meeting in arts and crafts village and with all other stakeholders and concerned ministers and directors.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs and Immigration should be invited to also attend the meeting, so that we can think of the way forward for crafts works in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Lawal noted that most states and tribes in the country are represented at the crafts village like Hausa, Igbo, Calabar, Benin and Tiv among others.
He said that a lot of people like to patronise the arts and crafts village but the neglect of the village by the government put them off.
He identified environmental factors and insecurity as part of the factors discouraging many people from patronising the village. (NAN)
COO/TO/AFA
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Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Felix Ajide