Former Chairman of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola has emphasised the need for cultural entrepreneurship education for young Africans to foster economic growth and enrich the cultural industry.
Professor Okebukola made the remark during a workshop organized for young entrepreneurs by the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (IACIU) at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun state.
Okebukola noted that the workshop was aimed at equipping young creative artists with entrepreneurial skills, to enhance their creative output through the digital environment.
Okebukola stressed that nurturing these entrepreneurial talents would lead to the emergence of cultural ambassadors who could continually create and promote cultural assets, both locally and on the global stage.
According to the Professor Emeritus, it’s vital to bring young Africans together to explore the diverse expressions of culture and to raise awareness about their value at local, national, and international levels.
Okebukola explained, “This workshop has another important objective: to help participants understand that cultural goods and services transcend being mere commodities; they convey cultural identity, values, and meaning.”
He further added, “This training equips artists with the entrepreneurial skills needed to effectively promote their creative works through the digital realm. It creates a cadre of cultural ambassadors who will not only produce cultural assets but also promote them, both locally and globally, using the digital platform.’
Recognising that innovation drives competitiveness, economic growth, and social transformation, Okebukola highlighted the importance of empowering young artists to preserve cultural treasures and foster creativity from these cultural assets.
The convener, Omotayo Ifesewa Shittu, a Programme Officer at the institute, urged the participants to become cultural ambassadors who will protect and promote African culture.
