Entertainment group LCCI urges government to initiate policies to support creative industries

The government has been urged to enact policies that will provide further support to the creative and entertainment industries in Nigeria.

The President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Gabriel Idahosa, made the call while receiving legendary Nigerian singer, Bright Chimezie, who paid a courtesy call on the Creative and Entertainment Group of LCCI at its headquarters in Lagos.

Idahosa described the creative industries as a strong sector that has contributed to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), adding that with more support, the sector would make a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

Expressing gratitude for the visit of the veteran Highlife musician, the LCCI boss explained that it would be a further impetus for cooperation between the creative industry and his organization.

“We are excited about the visit and welcome LCCI’s involvement in the creative and entertainment industries, as the creative sector has not received the recognition it deserves as a major economic sector for a long time.

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“Music, visual arts and all of these contribute significantly to our economy and here at LCCI a few years ago we felt that we should start doing something, we created the creative and entertainment group and we felt that it was important to raise the profile of this sector and let the government and stakeholders understand that this is a sector that is very strong in many countries because you know what the creative sector has achieved in places like America, India and the most industrialised world.

“We therefore felt it was an ideal solution to give the sector the position it deserves within an organisation that has existed for 136 years,” he said.

Idahosa also praised LCCI Creative and Entertainment Group Chairwoman Ngozi Omambala, saying she had made a positive impact on the group since taking office.

Bright Chimezie, for his part, confirmed that the aim of the visit was to strengthen cooperation between LCCI and the creative industry.

Chimezie, who has been in the music industry for over four decades, lamented the gradual disappearance of African music, especially highlife.

However, he emphasized that young musicians should be under the supervision of older musicians so that they can learn the basics of music.

The Director General and President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chinyere Almona, commended the veteran music artiste and his team for the visit and acknowledged that the creative industry in Nigeria has contributed to the economic development of the country.

LCCI Creative and Entertainment Group Chairman Ngozi Omambala has lauded Bright Chimezie for his contribution to the development of the Nigerian music space.