In an effort to broaden the frontier of cooperation between Nigeria and France, and particularly in lieu of the visit of the President Emmanuel Macron visit to Nigeria in July, the Nigerian embassy in France under the leadership of H. E. Dr. Modupe Irele organized Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange (NCAE), a 2-day culture meet business event kicked off yesterday, 19 May in Paris
The event, a strategic initiative of the Nigerian embassy in Paris is geared to rebrand and reposition the France-Nigeria relations which have been on the upward swing for some time. France has been playing a prominent role in helping Nigeria to combat security and insurgency challenges posed by terrorist organizations such as Boko Haram. The French Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, received warmly Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbanjo, at his Hôtel de Matignon offices on 30 March 2017, on the sideline of his attendance of the OECD Global Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum.
It is interesting to mention here that France is Nigeria’s biggest trading partner in the Eurozone with a trading volume of over 3.2 billion Euros. This is in Nigeria’s favour by an excess of 2billion Euros.
While this is encouraging, expectations are rife that the relationship will generate more economic benefits with the proposed visit of the French President, Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to be in Nigeria sometime in July. But this can only be fruitful if Nigeria is well-positioned to reap the benefits that will accrue from such an epoch visitation. With Macron’s apparent interest in Nigeria’s culture sector, largely believed to have enormous potential for the Nigerian economy, this is undoubtedly the best time to flaunt that aspect of Nigeria’s national life that has constantly intrigued the world.
The embassy with its thinking cap on and encouragement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the headship of Geoffrey Onyema, the highly pragmatic and foresighted Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Irele initiated the cultural exchange event to l flaunt some of the best in Nigeria’s arts and culture sector to the French community. The event aptly tagged: Nigerian Creative and Arts Exchange (NCAE 2018) showcases our cultures as well as draw business and boost FDI (Foreign Direct Investment).
Nigerian Ambassador to France, Dr. Modupe Irele presenting her letter of credence to President Macron
According to Dr Irele in her speech, NCAE will stimulate business interest amongst the French about Nigeria. ‘’Initially, I had described the event as a ‘cultural extravaganza’, showcasing a selection of the best in Nigeria’s creative industry.
‘’Our art, music, film, fashion and in recent times, our food too, have caught and received international attention and acclaim. They have shown that they are industries that can and in many cases already are successfully operating internationally, at the requisite high standards. Like many industries in Nigeria, they still remain full of opportunity and open to further investment. While this description does remain true, it is important to note that the event is not simply an opportunity to exhibit our culture or parade the talent we undoubtedly have in this country. It, more importantly, is a platform by which to harness the positive publicity created by these industries to stimulate broader interest in Nigeria and strengthen the foundation for investment in and trade with our country. We feel this platform will be particularly appreciated by our French counterparts whose country boasts some of the top cultural institutions in the world, and whose cultural and creative industries contribute an important part of its economy.
‘’Through the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange, we are thus creating a forum where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links, in a relaxed setting. We invite participants to experience both the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display and to use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which will range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, amongst others. These together represent a wide array of trade opportunities.’’.
The NCAE which will showcase artistes drawn from visual arts, film, music, cuisine and fashion will be a two-day event taking place at Le Pavilion Dauphine, Paris, Saint Clair.
Mabel Ndagi of the Bank of Industry, says the platform is important for the bank as a government agency because the FG is committed to tapping into other resources which are abundant in the cultural sector. ‘’ As a government institution’’, she says, ‘’we are looking at platforms that will present investment and employment opportunities for Nigerians. NCAE is one of them’’.
Moses Umoru of Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, CCI France Nigeria, lauds the initiative and says it would help change the narrative about Nigeria which has often been negative in the international scene. ‘’The perception of the Nigerian amongst international business people is not good at all. NCAE will change the narrative, especially at this time, when all we get to see and hear is the kidnap of the Dapchi Girls and all that. There are greater and more exciting things about Nigeria that is being talked about in the foreign circles and the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange is one of such platforms to stimulate such discourse’’.
The event was attended by crooner; Adekunle Gold, fashion designer; Lanre Da Silva, Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos; Ituen Bassey (Fashion); Orange Culture (Fashion); Andrea Iyamah (Fashion); Chef Fregz, and Kemi Lala Akindoju (Nollywood) amongst others.
The event enjoys corporate support from Bank of Industry, Emzor Pharmaceutical, UBA, Total, Lagos State Government and other brands.
