FG will maximize Job Creation opportunities in Creative Industry – Alhaji Lai Mohammed
The Federal Government will continue to leverage on the opportunities in the Creative industry, especially in job creation and preservation of culture.
Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this at the presentation of a Wole Soyinka Play titled “Death and the King’s Horseman” in Lagos.
The Play, “Death and the King’s Horseman” is an incident that took place in Nigeria in 1946, during the colonial era where the horseman of a Yoruba King was prevented from committing ritual suicide by the colonial authorities.
The king had died and Elesin, his chief horseman, was expected by law and custom to commit suicide and accompany his ruler to heaven.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed after the presentation said the production depicted the need for sacrifice of pleasure by leaders, for the benefit of others.
He said that ” under the old African system, repercussions or consequences were not meted out by government alone, so this explains that that the colonial masters took valuables from us”.
According to Alhaji Mohammed, the creative industry remain a major avenue for creation of employment and must be supported by government and corporate bodies.
“You can imagine when they were introducing the crew and the staff, you can see how many people earn their livelihood from the production. That is why we must continue to encourage the creative industry, that is, arts, film, music, fashion because after Agriculture today, it employs the largest number of people; especially the young and women”.
In an interview, Movie Director and Producer of the stage play, Ms Bolanle Austen-Peters noted that apart from the lessons of leadership , the presentation showcases the strength and depth of Yoruba culture
“It is complex and full of mastery of Professor Wole Soyinka’s understanding of Yoruba-English cultural riddles and proverbs”.
The play published in 1975 by Professor Wole Soyinka has been presented on stage at different locations across the World.
