NAN-ELS-2
Artistes
By Taiye Baiyerohi
Lagos, Aug. 2, 2017 (NAN) The World Music and Dance Creation Organisation, an NGO says it is ready to create a platform for projecting budding artistes in the world market to develop Nigerian creative industry.
Dr Ferdinand Anikwe, the President of the NGO told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos that the move was aimed at regenerating literary, artistic and innovative production in the artistes.
“We are interested in harnessing the potential in African music and dance and to create a platform for projecting budding artistes to the right places -n the world market.
According to him, Africa is the cradle of modern music and dance, rock, rhythm, blues, jazz, and other derivations from Africa region.
“In Africa, there are civilised, talented and hardworking people who deserve to be honoured and credited for their works and contributions to humanity,’’ he said.
Anikwe said that the potential had not been properly tapped due to considerable lack of access to world music and dance markets generally reserved for companies belonging to favoured nations.
“This will also give room for employment creation and we are looking at over 2,000 talented artistes in each of the 36 states in Nigeria and FCT.
“It will also help to create a formidable avenue for tourism development and foreign investors.
“We want the budding artistes to know that this organisation is out for them and should be out to put in their best in projecting Nigeria as the hub of entertainment as it had always been,” he said.
Anikwe said that the organisation had been receiving sponsorship from external agencies such as the World Bank, African Development Bank, UN, EU, among others.
He said that artistes, who had challenges in producing their music and dance initiatives due to lack of fund, would also be assisted.
He said that artists would be invited to Enugu State on Aug. 14 to participate in a forum that would address the challenges of the entertainment industry. (NAN)
PTB/TO/GY
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Edited by Tola Okinbaloye/Grace Yussuf