President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria is attracting
positive attention as a country that promotes media freedom.
According to a statement on Sunday by Femi Adesina,
presidential spokesman, Buhari spoke in the light of Nigeria hosting three
international events, scheduled for October and November 2022.
Nigeria will host the 2022 Global Media and Information
Literacy (MIL) week, organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific
and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), in October.
A global conference on tourism and creative industries,
organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), is
scheduled to hold in Lagos in November, while the Global Association of
Literary Festivals conference will take place in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital,
also in November.
Adesina said Buhari is pleased that Nigeria will host the
events, adding that it shows the country is gaining positive attention
globally.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged full support for
three major international events scheduled to hold in Nigeria in October and
November this year, saying they are opportunities to showcase the nation’s rich
heritage in culture, arts, tourism and entertainment as well as advancements on
media freedom,” the statement reads.
“Welcoming the decision by UNESCO, United Nations World
Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Global Association of Literary Festivals
to grant Nigeria the right to host these separate historic events, the
President assures all relevant stakeholders and participants of the warmth and
hospitality of the people of Nigeria.
“On MIL Week,
President Buhari notes that it is instructive that Nigeria is attracting
positive international attention as a country that promotes media freedom and
freedom of expression, recognising the important roles information literacy and
media education play in sustainable development.
“On the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and
Creative Industry, the President says the rapid growth of Nigeria’s film,
fashion, music, and ICT sector, and the increase in international appeal and
acceptance would continue to spur government to devote more resources to the
sector.
“Among other initiatives, he recalls that the Creative
Industry Financing Initiative (CIFI), established by his administration and
managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in collaboration with the Bankers’
Committee, has provided single-digit financing to many young Nigerians in the
fields of fashion, film, music and information Technology.
‘The $100 million re-development of the National Theatre,
Lagos, into a world-class Creative Park, is also ongoing, following the
handover of the facility to CBN and the Bankers Committee.
“The Nigerian leader
trusts that the literary world will find many good things to celebrate about
Nigeria when they meet in the historic city of Abeokuta, homeland and
birthplace of one of Nigeria’s finest literary icons and Nobel Laureate, Prof.
Wole Soyinka.”
Adesina said the president is pleased to welcome the
international community to the country.
He also called on Nigerians to cooperate by providing a
welcoming environment through showcasing values “that make us a unique,
friendly and peace-loving people”.
Meanwhile, Buhari’s comments on media freedom come amid
varied reactions — including backlash — over the recent decision of the
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to fine some media outfits for airing
documentaries on banditry.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com