By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal government has taken more steps to bolster bilateral cultural relations with the Federative Republic of Brazil as both countries have finalized talks to sign bilateral cultural Agreement on Audio-visual co-production to boost Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

This was made known by the Minister for Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.

Musawa who is part of the entourage of President Bola Tinubu to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit also had bilateral cultural engagements with the Brazil Minister of Culture, Margareth Menezes, the private sector in Brazil and other officials of the government as sideline events to review and finalize talks on a draft basic Agreement between the two countries on Audiovisual Co-production in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, said the move, which is to consolidate on the gains of the just concluded G20 meeting is part of a deliberate effort of the Federal government to explore co-productions in the audiovisual sector.

Meanwhile, according to the Minister, the collaboration will benefit both countries’ creative industries.

She noted that while the partnership is part of a broader effort to enhance cultural diplomacy and leverage cultural diversity for economic and social development, she maintained that it will further strengthen Cultural ties and promote mutual understanding between Nigeria and Brazil, advancing Cultural diplomacy and exploring more opportunities for collaboration between the two countries.

She underscored Brazil as melting pot of African, European and Asian Culture stating that Nigeria also offers unique Cultural diversity, stating that both countries have many areas of similarities, which makes it so important to have the Agreement not just in audiovisual, but also in many other areas that Nigeria is having a huge moment like music, film, gastronomy animation, amongst others.

She also expressed optimism that the audio-visual Agreement is going to open up more possibilities in view of the strategic role it would play in promoting the industry and in the communities of both countries.She told her Brazilian counterpart that the government is passionate about opening up the Nigerian market to Brazilian film makers, music and other sectors in the creative economy so will Nigeria have access to the Brazilian market.

On her part, the Brazilian Culture Minister Margareth Menezes who was visibly excited about the historic audiovisual Agreement to deepen collaborations between the two countries told her guest that contact with Africa is important to the government of Brazil.

Menezes said that Brazil is very interested about Afro-Brazil descent population, saying it is the reason the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has a very big responsibility to pushing forward the relations of Africa.

This, according to her requires to build on another type of relations, which she encouraged Nigeria open markets in the Culture sector.