Hope stirs in culture sector over Minister’s actions

Adetokunbo Kayode, Minister of
Tourism, Culture and National Orientation.

Akintayo Abodunrin appraises the new developmental initiatives in the culture sub-sector and the cautious optimism the actions of Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, is eliciting among stakeholders.

AT a parley with culture and tourism journalists immediately after the grand finale of the Osun Osogbo festival last year, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode (SAN), promised to reposition the ministry for effective delivery.

He told the sceptical journalists that despite his being a lawyer, he would use his background as a prince knowledgeable about his people’s culture to revitalize the ministry and exploit its resources. Kayode, who also disclosed that he was studying events and literature at the ministry in order to have a solid footing in his assignment then listed the launch of the Tourism Master Plan (TMP), adoption of a 12-month calendar of cultural festivals, and a review of the concessioning of the National Theatre that stakeholders had loudly protested as some of the issues he would immediately address.

Months later at the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) held in Makurdi, Benue State and themed “Culture, job creation and youth empowerment,” the Minister again affirmed that the ministry would contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. To underscore the seriousness of his team’s resolve, Kayode held an all night meeting with directors of culture of state’ council for arts and culture present at the festival.

However, some stakeholders were still not convinced Kayode and Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong, his minister of state, would deliver because previous Ministers of Culture made similar promises but failed to deliver. But interestingly, events that have been unfolding within the culture and tourism sector since the last quarter of 2007 have revealed that the minister is determined to reposition the ministry.

He initiated a change in the management of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), which was allegedly corrupt and where staff morale was low. The Director General, Dr. Joe Eborieme and four directors of the commission were sent on leave late November while Iranola Akingun-Roberts was appointed acting DG. Things have since picked up at the NCMM. Staff salaries and other entitlements, which accounted for the disaffection in the commission have been settled; allocations for the upkeep of museums across the country have been released while staff promotion and training are about to commence.

The last Abuja carnival was another activity Kayode used to send out signals that it was business unusual at the ministry. Although a change was effected in the management committee of the carnival with mixed reactions trailing it, majority however held that it was successful. Speaking on the issue, Kayode who accepted that there might have been imperfections, said the carnival achieved its objectives. His words:

“Well, we are happy with the outcome of the 2007 carnival. This is the third edition and I think all the milestones that we set out to achieve were achieved. One, we were able to achieve continuity, which is the hallmark of development. We were also able to achieve some other milestones - we had a bigger durbar, last year, they had less than 2000 horses but we had over 3000 this year. We had a bigger boat regatta; last year, only five states participated but seven states took part this year.

“There was also a bigger masquerade fiesta but more importantly, we had a bigger and larger floats parade. Last year, 28 states took part while 33 states including FCT were present this year. We also had two extra floats, one from Niger Republic and the other from Ghana. So, we did better. Above all, we are beginning to lay the foundation for internationa-lisation of the carnival. This year, we had two countries taking part and the third country, Barbados, sending delegation.”

Last December too, a new agenda for tourism in Nigeria was unfolded with the launching of the Tourism Master Plan (TMP) which among others, recommends re-organising the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC); registration and grading of hospitality and tourism industry; instituting the Tourism Development Fund (TDF) and the Tourism Satellite Account.

But the greatest indication yet that Kayode and Hong mean business and want to grow the culture and tourism sector is the news that the National Theatre, which proposed sale/concessioining had drew the ire of stakeholders and Nigerians would no longer be sold.

At the presentation of his Mission 2008 recently in Abuja, Kayode revealed that the edifice would no longer be sold. “The National Theatre shall be rehabilitated and modernized still on a public/private partnership basis. The issue of sale will not arise,” Kayode said at the event which also had in attendance Hong and the Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Chief Olusegun Runsewe. The Minister who disclosed that there was already an offer based on public/private partnership to reclaim, sand fill, dredge, canalize and fence the land surrounding the National Theatre, restated the importance of the country having a world class theatre.

According to him, “Nigeria is entitled to a world class theatre with a world class management to ensure sustainability. It is our desire to implement the vision of the original Master Plan for the National Theatre, which included hotels, shopping malls, office complexes, play grounds, garden, water parks, even a film village, our own Nollywood.”

For the culture sector, Kayode highlighted respect for national cultures and cultural diversity, recognition and inventorisation of local languages and dialects, development and promotion of arts and crafts and other tangible and intangible heritage, promotion of cultural festivals, establishment of cultural troupe in every tier of government as some of what the ministry would concentrate on this year, adding that henceforth, the private sector would be involved in the Abuja Carnival.

Expectedly, the minister’s disclosure is creating a buzz in the culture sub-sector with the sale of the National Theatre, which Kayode said would no longer take place, eliciting cautious optimism from stakeholders.

Reacting to the Minister’s disclosure about the Theatre, trailblazing culture journalist, culture activist and dramatist, Ben Tomoloju, said it was good news. “It’s good news. We who campaigned against its sale, however, desire to be vindicated by those running the edifice. They are now challenged to demonstrate greater innovativeness, enterprise and relevance”

For actor and make-up artiste, Doyin Hassan, the minister’s disclosure is welcome. “It’s not bad at all. My major concern is how to bring the National Theatre to the old aesthetic glory we knew. The onus rests on the government to also do this,” he said.
Ace filmmaker and director, Jimi Odumosu, whose latest TV production, The Head of State, will soon start showing, also commended the move, adding that if government was sincere, hope remains for film professionals: “If this is the case, I thank God for this country. Such a reverse order means there is still hope for the masses of this country and people in our profession particularly. Also recall what I told you earlier at the beginning of the year when I hoped that government policies regarding our business must favour and help the industry to grow. I wish something can still be done about the Daily Times though. The Times and a National Film Studios can easily cohabit on that premises.”

Femi Odugbemi, one of the country’s outstanding filmmakers also hailed the decision but wants government to do more. “It is good news and a laudable decision. Why we artistes were against its sale is because the Theatre represents the soul of the arts in Nigeria. Beyond that, the Theatre also represented the period when art was taken seriously in Nigeria unlike now when there are no concrete initiatives apart from carnivals and jamborees. In fact, Dr. Yerima and those managing the Theatre should be commended for doing their best to keep the place afloat. But going back to the reversal, I think it signifies the beginning of government paying attention to the arts in Nigeria. Too many artists in Nigeria are dying of poverty, so I think government should begin paying serious attention to the arts,” he said.

By unfolding his mission for the culture sub-sector this year, and going by the steps he has already taken since he became the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Kayode has left no one in doubt that he means business. What stakeholders eagerly await is the prompt implementation of these visions. That is, he should start walking his talk.

Making something out of nothing

Cover of the book

A review of Ayo Oladele’s Modern Concept in Entrepreneurship by Tope Abiola.

UNEMPLOYMENT remains a bane of Nigeria’s economic growth. In fact, people try several means to overcome the problem which has become recognised as a social problem. As a way out, individuals set up businesses but sadly, people do not succeed because they lack basic “entrepreneurship concepts” which they need to break even.

To reduce the rate of failed businesses, Ayo Oladele, an engineer and management consultant, in his book, Modern Concept in Entrepreneurship excurses into entrepreneurship, problems encountered by entrepreneurs, human and financial management and how an entrepreneur could improve his management skills.

And as Samuel Sunday Fatoye rightly observes in the book’s foreword, Oladele “has thoroughly dug deep into the economic analyses of wealth creation, business management and entrepreneurial skills in a practical way that made the book a handbook or manual on entrepreneurial practices”.

The author discloses in the book that foresight and the relisation that self-employment through small and medium scale enterprises, is a basic necessity towards self-independence and self actualisation, and even for overall national development. He queries why Nigerian youths see “white-collar jobs” as the only means of their survival, when there are numerous trades they could involve themselves in to make a living.

The book also dwells on the problems that could be confronted by an entrepreneur at the infancy of his/her business. It, however, maintains that with adequate planning, diligent book-keeping and accounting, and by making use of the recommended management tools in the book, success awaits such an entrepreneur.

In the first chapter of the book, the author delves into the requirements for beginning an enterprise, affirming that constant power supply, viable and reliable telecommunication network, good road and transport network, regular water supply and political stability as factors that would make Nigeria an entrepreneurship friendly country.

Chapter two highlights the necessary ingredients for setting up a business. The author notes that researching into the demand for the product intended to be produced by the entrepreneur, the potential customers, where and when the business could thrive are the essential things needed.

Other chapters in the book serve as a guide to entrepreneurs, especially young school leavers and retirees who have just received their gratuities and who intend living the remaining parts of their lives in comfort.

“An entrepreneur should always dream the dream of success, see the vision of success, even when all else appears to be going contrary. Despair and discouragement, if allowed, would only ruin the gains that already have been made”. This, the author notes in the 160-page book.

Apart from x-raying how success could be recorded in the setting up of a business, Oladele also includes tips on poultry keeping and dog breeding.

In spite of errors ranging from lack of tables and illustrations and duplication of analyses and chapters in the book, it is recommended for entrepreneurs, prospective business tycoons and those whose businesses are already comatose.