By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Chairman, Channels Media Group, Dr John Momoh, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) have called for sustainable development in the country’s media and creative industry.

They made the call at the ICSAN Creative and Media Industries Workshop on Thursday in Lagos.

Momoh stressed the importance of securing the future of one of Nigeria’s most diverse sector, noting that the creative and media industries were powerful engines of economic growth and national identity.

He said both industries must move from potential and inspiration to institutions, by building a strengthened ecosystem that supported it.

Momoh stated that to spur the business angle of the industries, investment from government and private capital both local and global were critical.

“There must also be policies that protect the sector and young creators with supporting digital, legal and educational infrastructure.

“Sustainable growth begins with people and we must empower the next generations of creatives, equip the youths with not just story telling but design, ethical and governance grounding,” he said.

He stressed that Nigeria must be at the fore front of these emerging technologies by making creativity a national assets against being just a passion.

He also advocated the need to sustainably strengthen media independence and integrity.

“This is a call to action as we declare industries that thrive on public trust as your brand is only as strong as your values,” he said.

President, ICSAN, Mrs Funmi Ekundayo, said the event was to generate ideas on how the country’s creative and media industry could consolidate its gains and maintain its fledgling success on sustainable basis.

Ekundayo noted that Nigeria had witnessed phenomenal growth in the industry.

According to her, a sizeable number of youths used their talents for personal success and to contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.

She stated that opportunities abound in the industry with its wide range of economic activities focused on generating and exploiting knowledge and information for innovation and economic growth.

“According to the PwC Global Entertainment and Media Outlook 2024-28, Nigerian media industry, encompassing film, music, art, entertainment, and content creation sectors, is the fastest-growing creative industry globally.

“Together, the motion picture and music recording industries contributed approximately 154 billion naira (roughly 96 million euros) to Nigeria’s GDP in 2023.

“The industry’s growth has yet to reach its peak, with PwC projecting it will generate $14.8 billion in revenue by the end of 2025,” she said.

Ekundayo said the institute was committed to driving the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge in the creative and media sector to maximise the potential of the country’s talented youths.

She said ICSAN would continually support young people and help channel their creative energy into national productivity pool.

Dr Nosike Agokei, a governance expert, stressed the importance of good corporate governance and ethical practices in promoting and managing successful ventures in the creative and media industries.

Agokei said effective corporate governance system in both industries had many advantages such as stakeholders’ protection, risk mitigation, accountability, compliance and others.

He stated that sensationalism, privacy, and conflicts of interest were all important ethical considerations for the media.

“By avoiding sensationalism, respecting privacy, and being transparent about potential conflicts of interest, the media can uphold high ethical standards and contribute to a well-informed and democratic society,” he said.

Mrs Cheta Nwabuike, Certified Governance Practitioner, said the journey for transforming the country’s creatives and media industry into Environmental, Governance and Sustainability (ESG) compliant ventures must begin.

According to her, businesses and stakeholders within the global creative and media industries were integrating ESG principles into their strategies, operations, and storytelling. (NAN)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

By Rukayat Moisemhe

The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) has called for the support of government and private sector players in the building of its N3.5 billion national secretariat in Lagos.

Mr Francis Olawale, Honorary Treasurer, ICSAN, made the call during a news conference for a fundraiser for the building on Thursday in Lagos.

Olawale noted that the call for support was important because chartered secretaries and administrators held very important roles in the economic build up of the nation.

According to him, they are high-ranking professionals trained to uphold the highest standards of corporate governance, effective operations, compliance and administration.

Addressing the new national secretariat, Olawale stated that while its foundation was nearing completion, the next stage was the building of the superstructure to sit on the foundation.

He revealed that the expected cost for completion of the building as projected by the contractors, Fortuna Engineering Ltd., was N3.5 billion.

Olawale stated that a fundraiser to support the institute’s project would hold on April 14.

He said that dignitaries which included the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Mr Olayemi Cardoso; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike, state governors and captain of industries would be present.

“The event will be the first of its kind towards realising one of the dreams of the founding fathers of ICSAN which is to have a befitting multipurpose national secretariat.

“The institute, established in 1966, is one of the leading professional bodies in Nigeria and a leading voice on corporate governance and public administration.

“While the plan for ICSAN’s new secretariat was conceived over the years, the actual journey began precisely on July 5, 2024 with the sod turning ceremony to formally commence the project,” he said.

Olawale noted that over the years, ICSAN had promoted the ideals of corporate governance through periodic issuance of policy papers and guidance materials on corporate and public administration.

He added that for the past 59 years, the institute had also produced seasoned professionals who had contributed and were still contributing their quota to the nation’s economic advancement.

According to him, many of the institute’s members are at present occupying various responsible and enviable positions across the whole gamut of Nigeria’s socio-economic life.

He stated that the new ICSAN secretariat, when completed, would also enhance the aesthetic quality of the Alausa business district area. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Christiana Fadare