By Remi Johnson
The Minister of State for FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has identified arts, culture and traditions of FCT residents as critical tools for building sustainable creative economy.
Mahmoud who stated this in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 11th Edition of the Abuja Festival of Arts and Culture, ASOFEST, noted that FCT was blessed with rich, unique cultures, customs and traditions.
The Minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary of Social Development Secretariat, Mrs Olubumi Olowookere.
Speaking on the theme, “Sustaining the Renewed Hope Agenda through Efficient Management of Cultural Resources” Dr Mahmoud explained that the theme, seeks to build and promote culture as a creative economy.
She described arts and culture as unifying factors capable of transforming the nation’s economy, promote peace, prosperity, unity, thereby boosting food and national security.
Dr Mahmoud who reiterated the FCT Administration’s commitment to preserving and protecting the rich cultural heritage of indigenous people and residents of the territory, said through ASOFEST, the FCT Administration would showcase FCT’s unique arts and traditions to the world.
“The FCT Administration is poised to protect, preserve, promote and showcase our rich cultural heritage, diversity, uniqueness and traditions to the world.
“This, we are doing through cultural exchange and exhibition at our own annual ASOFEST.The festival has afforded us the opportunity to enjoy the rich cultural heritage of the people and residents of FCT, even the people who settled and made FCT their home, we equally appreciate the dynamism of their different cultures,” Mahmoud said.
Recall, that the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, had at the ASOFEST opening ceremony promised to develop the territory’s arts, culture and tourism potential.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had given a matching order to the FCTA, to harness the tourism potential of the federal capital, with a view to contribute to the growth of the nation’s economy