By Shuaibu Usman
A foremost media consultant in Nasarawa State, Mukhtar Wakeel, has identified the creative industry in Nasarawa State as the new oil and gas sector if necessary attention is accorded to it, believing that Nasarawa can be great owing to the state’s opportunities in the sector.
Wakeel said that from entertainment, many countries of the world, particularly the United States and the Republic of India, have substantially addressed socio-economic and cultural issues leading to improved growth in their national revenues.
He stated this when Nasarawa State Heritage Group, a multi-talented music artists crew, paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Lafia, Tuesday.
Wakeel said leveraging on the opportunities abound in the creative industry will assist significantly in projecting the rich cultural heritage of the state and to become a catalyst in fighting unemployment issue as well as generate revenue for the state.
He advised Governor Abdullahi Sule to strengthen the sector, which he said is predominantly populated by youths that are gifted to rewrite the history of the state by enriching their intellectual contents with the history and investment avenues Nasarawa is endowed with.
He added that culture and tourism are key areas that must see to the actualization of strengthening the creative industry, pledging that individuals and institutions should be gainfully considered and supported to promote the talents and advance industrialization policy of the government by assisting indigenous artists.
Earlier, Francis Elayo Vorgan, Convener of the Nasarawa State Heritage, stressed the desire for government and private sector cooperation in repositioning the music industry in the state, soliciting for partnership and needful influence to thrive in the music realm.
He implored for more commitment to harnessing rich cultural and natural endowments, encouraging the building of youth potential to thrive in a competitive economy.