Abeg, make I yarn you wetin dey happen for Naija!
Recently, for Lagos wey dem gather plenty big wigs for the Maiden Cultural Diplomacy Conference. Olateju Philips, wey dey run LASACO Assurance, don talk am clear say Naija need to use culture as better weapon to boost our global rep, attract money and tourism.
She don drop some serious gist say culture dey represent wetin she call ‘reputation capital’, wey fit make investors no dey fear for their money. Naija get beta music, film, fashion, and art industries, dem no be just entertainment, but dem be our national ambassadors to the world, wahala no dey when dem project wetin we stand for.
Philips no gree rest for her matter o! She dey shout say we need to strengthen our national institutions, pump money into our cultural infrastructure, and protect our intellectual property like sey dem na our last card. She warn say if we no take care, piracy go chop our economy raw!
Meanwhile, Zainab Mohammed, na di convener of the conference, don talk sey dem go help students wey dey come up with mentorship programs and expose dem to international opportunities. Dem want make sure sey these young ones sabi how to tell our African stories well well!
Dr. Ebiekure Eradiri too don land for the matter, she dey represent All-African Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, she talk sey our small businesses dey drive cultural trade for Africa. E mean say na dem dey carry our culture waka come outside make people sabi us!
The Royal Father of the Day, Emperor J.D. Nkpe II, wey be the Paramount Ruler for Eleme Kingdom, don talk sey traditional rulers still get main role for diplomacy matter. E talk say dem na the keepers of our culture and values, and dem dey important to help maintain peace for our changing world.
Sinatu Ojikutu wey be the first female Deputy Governor for Naija don dey gree sey make political leaders put culture matter for their governance plan. Other people wey yarn for the conference talk say dem go work better to bridge nations through cultural diplomacy, make dem no carry our stories twist.
As the matter dey hot, Mrs. Yemisi Ransome-Kuti don drop idea sey civil society dey very important for shaping our cultural narrative! Na so we dey fit carry our culture showcase for di international stage.
Na so the culture gist gather steam for Naija, everybody dey believe sey with more collaboration, we go fit leverage our creativity fit excel globally. If dem sabi carry our culture waka, e go make our economy dey shine too, no be only to dey chop jollof rice and dance to Afrobeats wetin we go fit offer.
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