Namibian Lauds Nigerian Creative Sector, Seeks Collaborations

Tosin Kolade
Sep, Wed, 2025

Culture & Tourism

Namibian lauds Nigerian creative sector, seeks collaborations

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By Joshua Olomu

Brig.-Gen. Benhard Erastus, Commandant, Namibian Command and Staff College, has lauded Nigeria’s rich creative sector, describing it as a model to other African countries.

He gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), during a courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy (FMACTCE) on Wednesday in Abuja.

Erastus who led a delegation of students of the college on study tour to Nigeria was on familiarisation visit to the ministry as part of their itinerary in Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria has a booming arts, culture and creative industries, with array of artistes and creative works representing the continent on the global stage.

He said that the visit to the FMACTCE was to have first-hand information on how the sector works in Nigeria, adding that his country wanted possible areas of collaborations.

According to him, Nigeria is right now in the global market space because of its rich industry and I want to appreciate the pioneers and their founding fathers for their foresightedness.

”The country is very rich in culture and has preserved it and exporting this cultural knowledge to the rest of the world.

”That exposure is also very important for us as military personnel; that is why we are here at the ministry for a glimpse of what Nigeria’s creative sector is about.

”Nigeria to us has been a big brother, and if you can remember, some years back Nigerians sacrificed a lot in solidarity with the Namibian and South African people.”

The Namibian Command and Staff College commandant noted that no African country had represented Africa and showcased its heritage to the world like Nigeria.

”Nigeria’s creative industry has gone worldwide and if you hang on its armpit, you will go worldwide as well,” he said.

Earlier, Mrs Ugochi Akudo-Nwosu, Director Overseeing the office of the Permanent Secretary of the FMACTCE, expressed the ministry’s readiness to share experiences and deepen mutual understanding with stakeholders.

Akudo-Nwosu recalled the long-standing historical ties between Nigeria and Namibia, noting that the country played an active role during the years of Africa’s liberation struggles.

”I am delighted to welcome our highly esteemed and distinguished brothers from the Republic of Namibia to this historic visit on a study tour to our beautiful ethno-culturally rich country.

”This August visit is aimed at offering the delegation an expository knowledge on the operations of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

”This is a fortified ministry with a combination of three giant non-oil sectors, strategised to deliver Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda on economic transformative policies.

”It is targeted at strengthening national security for peace and prosperity as a nexus for nation building, jobs and wealth creation for sustainable economic growth and development,” she explained.

The director further said that in 1990, Nigeria strongly supported Namibia’s independence and contributed to the UN Trust Fund for South Africa and Namibia in support of its liberation movement in the 1970s-80s.

”The excellent bilateral tie is strengthened by both countries till date in various areas of interests, and they have been able to execute various great exchanges on culture and tourism,” she added.

NAN reports that the meeting offered an interactive session, with a Power Point presentation on the operations of the ministry.

High-point of the event was the presentation of gifts to the visitors on behalf of the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

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