The Abia State Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Matthew Ekwuruibe has restated government’s readiness to partner with relevant organizations in exploring opportunities for Abia’s creative economy on the global stage.
Mr Ekwuruibe who stated this in Abuja during a meeting with the Head of Culture at UNESCO and the UN Nigeria, Mr. Ifeanyi Ajagbu and other key personnel from various sectors, explained that the meeting marks an important step towards leveraging Abia’s rich cultural heritage and creative industries for international recognition and growth.
He disclosed that the discussions centered on UNESCO’s role in preserving cultural heritage, supporting creative industries, and offering technical capacity building.
The Commissioner noted that as part of plans to deepen the collaboration, the group agreed to organize a roundtable meeting in Abuja with relevant UN agencies, such as UNDP and UNIDO, adding that the meeting will serve as a platform for exploring how these agencies can support various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within Abia State.
According to Mr Ekwuruibe, the collaborative effort is expected to unlock new resources, knowledge, and opportunities that will foster Abia’s growth in the global creative economy.
Mr Matthew Ekwuruibe further commended Governor Alex Otti for his administration’s ingenuity and vision which is focused on revitalizing Abia’s arts, culture, and creative economy.
He expressed optimism that the discussions will lead to transformative opportunities, benefiting the state economically and culturally, adding that the positive outcome of the meeting marks a new chapter in Abia State’s journey to becoming a key player in the global creative economy.
Responding, the Head of Culture at UNESCO and the UN Nigeria, Mr Ifeanyi Ajagbu said although UNESCO does not provide direct funding, the organization is willing to offer vital technical guidance to help Abia secure potential World Heritage recognition for its historical sites.
Mr Ajagbu noted that the guidance will help Abia navigate the complex process of gaining global acknowledgment of its cultural landmarks.
On the possibility of Aba, Abia’s commercial hub, qualifying as a Creative City under UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network, he disclosed that Aba has built a solid reputation for its traditional craftsmanship, particularly in leatherwork and metal fabrication.
According to him, going by UNESCO’s criteria, Aba meets the necessary socio-economic impact requirements and promised to keep Abia informed when the application process for the next round of Creative City nominations opens, which will signal a bright future for Aba’s recognition on the world stage.
The meeting was attended by key Abia Government functionaries including the Liaison Officer and Special Assistant on Multilateral and Donor Agencies, Mr. Odinaka Eme, Liaison Officer to the National Assembly, Hon. Iheanyi Chinasa, and the Culture Sector Head at UNESCO, Mr. Shedrack Oloku.
Their participation in the meeting underscores the importance of collaboration between various sectors of government and international organizations in driving Abia’s creative industries forward.
