Kano empowers 100, 000 youths in creative industries-Official
NAN–H-48
Empowerment
Uyo, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Kano State Government says it has empowered over 100,000 youths and women in the creative industries in the last nine months.
The Executive Secretary, Kano state History and Culture Bureau, Alhaji Ibrahim Mua’zu, disclosed this in Uyo on Thursday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Mua’zu, whose state is one of the participants at the ongoing NAFEST 2016 in Akwa Ibom, said that the creative industries if properly harnessed, could be major employers of labour.
NAN reports that NAFEST 2016, which is the 29 edition, has the theme, “Exploring the Goldmine Inherent in Nigeria’s Creative Industries”.
Mua’zu said that his state took census of all cultural troupes operating in the state, irrespective of state of origin at the beginning of the year.
He said that the essence of the census was to give government the statistics of those in the industry and also to identify ways of assisting them.
He said that state government had been running a programme on Radio Kano tagged:
“Needle and Trade” to educate the youth and women on embroidery, leather works and shoe making.
“In terms of empowerment, we have empowered over 100, 000 youths in different areas of trade, such as embroidery, leather works, shoe making and raffia works.
“We give them money to purchase engine for making confectioneries for baking, provide some with sewing machines, among other things,” Mua’zu said.
He appealed to private investors to assist government in developing the creative industries in the state.
Mua’zu noted that the state had comparative advantage in the area of leather works and embroidery which should attract private investors.
He assured that the state government was ready to provide a conducive environment for all investors willing to come to the state.
He commended the Federal Government for organising NAFEST as a vehicle for unity, peace and promotion of our culture. (NAN)
IE/BB/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf