The Federal Government, penultimate week in Abuja disclosed that it would collaborate with the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the U.S Department of States to promote art and craft and the country.

Government made this revelation on the occasion of official  inauguration for preparations for Nigeria’s 100th year anniversary in 2014.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem  who stated this in Abuja, said the partnership would also assist in curbing high level of illiteracy among women and youths  and also help to advance issues of culture and tourism in the country.

According to him,  “The centenary celebration is to be used to promote Art and Craft, the people’s creativity, we will be happy to collaborate with US, because we believe it will impact positively on our economy.”

The minister further  reiterated the responsibility of the ministry in using the various platforms available in the promotion of culture, expressing confidence that the partnership will change the perception of Nigerian men, who see culture only as an expression of creativity.

“Culture is the most significant platform for advancing our mutual cooperation and I believe that from today we’ll be able to strengthen our initiatives in that direction and on several other fronts.” He said, adding that, “We can advance the agenda of culture as an enterprise whether in the rural or urban community where you have a large population of youths.”

Continuing, he argued that , “Youths in Nigeria constitute about 70% of the entire population and they are very dynamic, aggressive, positively they are creative and desiring opportunities of expression.”

The Minister therefore  assured Nigerians of great opportunities that lie ahead and expressed appreciation for the warm sentiment expressed by the Department of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S.A.

In his speech, Ambassador Adam Ereli, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary,Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the US equally expressed his pleasure to collaborating with the Nigerian government.

He said the partnership is good and that it is high time  the country took  culture and heritage preservatiWon to another level, adding that his country’s aim is to create a mutual understanding between the two countries.

“This exchange programme is critical in strengthening the mutual relationship

between Nigeria and the United States of America and we have 50,000 beneficiaries of which majority are Nigerians who have participated in our exchange programme.’ He said.