Governor Ademola Adeleke has described Nollywood and by extension the Nigerian entertainment industry as the booster of the nation’s economy.
This is as he assured that his administration was prepared to collaborate with various stakeholders to deepen Osun as a global tourist destination.
Adeleke made this known on Sunday as he hosted top Nollywood stars in Ede, a day after the state hosted the 2023 BON awards.
While revealing his administration’s plans for the creative industry, the Osun governor stated that, “it will involve hosting of several global standard events, creation of entertainment village in the three senatorial districts, infra upgrade of tourist sites, logistics support for Osun as a film locations, cluster industry for craft sub-sector, among others.
“My intention is to take advantage of the state’s global music stars such Davido and B-Red to host global concerts and push towards an annual global Yoruba Heritage week to draw thousands of tourists from South America, Europe and North America.
“The plan also touches on the development of the hotel sector in terms of standardization and facilitation to secure and maintain high quality service for global visitors and national visitors the state will be receiving starting from next year.”
He maintained that his focus on infrastructure upgrade in the last one year was to attract investors and the creative industry to Osun.
“We are working to make the roads motorable, the health centers workable, the workers very happy, the water access very accessible, the school facilities very conducive and security truly water tight.
“The entertainment sector is a huge money spinner. In other developed countries, national earnings run into billions of dollars. In Africa, Nollywood is a household name.
“Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation must rise to serve as the center of the creative industry. As the custodian of Yoruba major cultural assets, we must be the capital of the cultural creative industry. That is what my administration is committed to.
“We will support you as a very important economic driver. We will soon call for a further partnership meeting”, the Governor noted.
