By CALEB ANYANSINA

The Federal Government has disclosed that it is in partnership with the Cross River State Government to establish a Slave Route Resource Centre in Calabar.

This followed launching of cultural tourism programme on the slave route in Africa, by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The programme Sunday Art gathered is aimed at identifying, restoring and promoting sites and places linked to the memory of the slave trade.

The Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke who stated this in Abuja while presenting his score card at the ministerial platform in Abuja said government would work with UNESCO to set up museums of slavery to strengthen the memory of slavery, develop a tourist trade focused on remembrance and promote social and economic development through tourism.

On the National Theatre in Lagos, the Minister explained that not all national theatre would be concessioned, as some parts that had become slum harbouring reptiles would be handed over to private investors through the private public partnership initiative to manage.

He clarified that government was not selling the monument, but taken step to ensure its complete turnaround to improve the country’s image as well as boosting the economy.

Edem Duke

”What we are saying is that the national theatre structure as it is currently in existence is not going to be handed over to anybody, but government said as a business proposal aimed at those areas that has been abandoned for 40 years that session of the national theatre which is now a slum harbouring reptiles, that session that is now turned to a beer parlour we will turn it into a shopping mall, a recreational park, a hotel.

It will not be giving to an individual and that is why we are calling for private public partnership, after the period of concessioning, it will return to Nigeria. This is to bring our own equivalent of Mandela square, which does not belong to any individual,” he clarified.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, in Abuja, on Monday, inaugurated the National Heritage Council and Endowment for the Arts (NHCEA) to identify, preserve and employ places and objects of heritage as a vehicle for development.

The minister who disclosed that additional 100 heritage sites had been identified by government across the country, added that, the government was determined to promote its value and potentials, for the good of the public and the development of the country.

According to him, “the decision to set up the council is informed by the centrality of the arts to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

“The prevalent and encouraging activities in the Nigerian creative industry are a clear pointer to the fact that arts can no longer be relegated to the backwater. It is this industry that continues to create a sustainable platform for our youths to express their natural talents, get employment and create jobs for many others.

“Art home and abroad, Nigerians are creating masterpieces in works of art, while our cultural industries are also brimming with activities. The endowment for arts is therefore, set up as a platform we intend to use to offer support and funding for project exhibiting artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities.

“It is also to bring the arts to all Nigerians and provide leadership in arts education and development. We believe that this is achievable, as we call on the private sector, philanthropists and individuals to support the endowment”.

The terms of reference of the board members of the council includes; “protection and conservation of places and objects of heritage significance and the registration of such places and objects.

“Integration of heritage management into the planning system of government and the private sector, as well as securing funding for heritage management and development.

“They shall also identify and support excellence in the arts, offering funding grants for projects exhibiting artistic excellence”.

Continuing, the minister said, “The above terms of reference now become the central objectives for the committee to carry out its functions within these limits, they are expected to secure the necessary resources, provide desired facilities and exercise effective control and coordination of application of the funds”.

Duke urged the council to take their “work beyond ordinary and sources for funding to help nurture creativity, support community spirit and foster appreciation of the excellence and diversity of our nation’s artistic accomplishments”.

In his response, the Chairman of the council, Mr Igho Sanomi said with the constitution of the council, Nigeria would take its rightful place in the world. “The work of the council is private sector driven and we will do all we can to achieve the desired objectives.