Aviation Minister endorses Uncover Naija, backs global promotion of Nigerian talent - Vanguard News
Abiola Adelana ( Head Tourism and creative Sector Sterling / Convener Uncover Naija project) presenting the brochure to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, with Dr Moji Davids ( MD extra large farms ) Akporee Idenedo ( Sterling Bank Business Executive) , Moriam Ajaga ( SA to president on Art , culture and creative economy, and Ayomide Olufolarin ( Sterling Tourism and creative Officer) during a visit to the Aviation minister in his office in Abuja recently.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, has endorsed the Uncover Naija project, a national creative initiative aimed at showcasing Nigerian artistic talent and strengthening the country’s cultural and creative economy.The endorsement was disclosed by the Convener of Uncover Naija, Abiola Adelana, during the National Exhibition of the project in Abuja, where she acknowledged the support of the Minister alongside other public and private-sector partners.Adelana said the Minister’s endorsement was significant to the project’s objective of taking Nigerian creative talent to wider domestic and international audiences, particularly through the strategic connection between aviation, tourism and the creative economy.She said aviation provides an important gateway for international visitors and investors to experience Nigeria, adding that the country’s creative assets could play a greater role in shaping the destination’s image and attracting global attention.According to her, Uncover Naija was established to identify, showcase and support Nigerian creative talent while creating opportunities for artists to derive greater economic value from their works.The project received more than 700 applications from across Nigeria, with 25 finalists selected by a jury comprising Chief Mrs Nike Okundaye, Ato Arinze, Arinze Stanley, David Olatoye and Maryam Maigida.The Abuja exhibition brought together government officials, artists, creative industry practitioners, jurors and other stakeholders to showcase the works of the finalists.Adelana said the initiative had developed into a national partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the Office of the Special Adviser to the President and private-sector organisations.She also acknowledged the contributions of Sterling Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Agege Local Government and other partners to the project.The convener said the support from stakeholders, including the Aviation Minister, would help strengthen efforts to position Nigerian creativity as an asset for tourism promotion, cultural diplomacy and economic development.She urged the finalists to use the exhibition as a springboard for building sustainable careers and accessing new markets, rather than seeing it merely as an opportunity to display their works.Adelana said the organisers intended to sustain Uncover Naija beyond the Abuja exhibition and expand it to other regions, creative disciplines and generations of Nigerian talent.
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