Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, on Tuesday inaugurated the Post COVID-19 Initiative Committee to rebound the creative industry from the effects of the novel pandemic .
At the virtual inauguration in his office in Abuja, the minister charged members of the committee to recommend measures to safe jobs, lives and reposition the industry to take its rightful place in the economy.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Creative Industry is a very critical sector of the nation’s economy and a major plank of the economic
diversification policy of this Administration.
I”creates the highest number of jobs after Agriculture, especially for the youth.
“It is therefore imperative for us to have a collective and government-supported approach in dealing with the immediate, short and long term economic stimulus and initiatives for the industry, in order
to mitigate the effect of the pandemic on the sector,” he said.
Mohammed who had announced the establishment of the committee two weeks back disclosed that its members had been expanded to include as many sectors as possible.
He said the essence of the expansion was to ensure a fair representation of more sectors in the industry.
The Minister assured that, while the committee could not accommodate all members of the industry, all members would benefit from its work.
He implored the entire industry to support the committee to rebound the industry.
“Covid-19 pandemic has impacted negatively on the nation and the Creative Industry has been particularly hard hit, considering the fact that it is an industry that has people-interaction at its core.
“All hands must, therefore, be on deck so the industry can rebound.
“I want to thank all those who have made comments and observations on the
composition of the committee.
‘This shows the great interest that the
entire industry has in the work of the panel,” he said.
He listed the terms of reference of the committee to include assesment of the expected impact of the pandemic on the industry in general
He said the committee should advise the Government on how to mitigate job and revenue losses in the sector as well as create succour for the industry’s small businesses.
He said the committee is also to suggest the type of taxation and financing that would be best for the industry to encourage growth and as well advise the Government on any other measure or measures that could be undertaken to support the industry.
