The UNESCO African Institute for International Understanding of Cultures (IACIU) has identified the need to educate African youth in cultural entrepreneurship to foster economic growth and enrich cultural industries.
Professor Peter Okebukola, Director of the Institute and former Director-General of the National Universities Commission (NUC), spoke at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State on the 20th at the Institute’s event for young entrepreneurs. He made this clear in a lecture he gave at a workshop. Wednesday.
Addressing the audience on the theme “Entrepreneurship Education on Protection and Promotion of Cultural Products for Young Creative Artists”, Mr. Okebukola said that the workshop will equip young creative artists with entrepreneurial skills and through digital platforms. The aim is to improve creative output. .
He stressed that nurturing these entrepreneurial talents will lead to the emergence of cultural ambassadors who can continuously create and promote cultural assets on both the local and global stage.
According to him, it is important to bring African youth together to explore the diverse expressions of their culture and raise awareness of its values at local, national and international levels.
He said: “This training will equip artists with the entrepreneurial spirit necessary to effectively promote their creative works through the digital realm. This will enable them to not only produce cultural assets, but also use digital platforms to promote their A cadre of cultural ambassadors will be created to promote cultural assets both in and around the world.
“This workshop has another important purpose: to help participants understand that cultural goods and services are more than just commodities; they are linked to cultural identity, values, It conveys meaning.”
Recognizing that innovation drives competitiveness, economic growth and social change, Mr. Okebukola emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage and empowering young artists to foster creativity from these cultural assets. did.
The Institute’s Convener and Program Officer, Mr. Omotayo Isewa Shittu, called on the participants to become cultural ambassadors who protect and promote African culture.
