By Ossom Raphael

The Federal Government is optimistic that the forthcoming EnjoyNigeria Expo will generate 100,000 new jobs in the creative, entertainment, cultural, travel and trade sectors of the economy between 2021 and 2023.

The Director, Investment Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs Kemi Arodudu, said the expo will assist to position small and medium enterprises for increased job and wealth creation as well as gain access to the global markets.

In a statement signed by Tunde Hassan, Head of the Media Subcommittee of EnjoyNigeria Expo, Mrs Arodudu was quoted saying that the Project envisions providing a national data base for micro, small and medium enterprises in rural areas while connecting such to big in-country markets in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.

“This is in addition to empowering women and youths with entrepreneurial skills to facilitate innovations as well as connect them to the bigger markets to grow and sustain their businesses whilst showcasing and promoting their products and services” she said.

Mrs. Arodudu who is also the Chairperson of the EnjoyNigeria Expo planning committee also noted that an inter ministerial steering committee has been set up, drawing membership from relevant MDAs and active non governmental bodies and associations operating in the sectors adding that so far, several sessions of the inter-ministerial steering team, have been held to draw and firm up arrangements for the EnjoyNigeria expo.

The Director also disclosed that an inter ministerial steering committee has been set up, drawing membership from relevant MDAs and active non governmental bodies and associations operating in the sectors adding that so far, several sessions of the inter-ministerial steering team, have been held to draw and firm up arrangements for the EnjoyNigeria expo.

She said Major components of the initiative include an exhibition, trade and investment forum and a string of entertainment events and awards.

The Director explained that the project is anchored on five major strands, woven around critical creative visual and performing arts contents including music, film, photography, painting, fashion, craft, stage drama and comedy are conceptualized as distinct stand alone brands, namely, Sounds of Nigeria, Images of Nigeria, Tastes of Nigeria, Colours of Nigeria and Experience of Nigeria.

On his part the Chief Executive of Welcome2Nigeria, the private sector facilitator of the project, Isa Sago, noted with delight, the enthusiasm displayed so far by critical stakeholders across all target sectors.

Sago, said the expo seeks to deepen the contributions of the creative entertainment, cultural and travel trade industries to the diversification of the Nigerian economy.

Sago said: “Arrangement is in top gear to stage the first ever combined initiative to signpost the creative, entertainment, cultural and travel-trade industries in Nigeria”.

The initiative tagged, EnjoyNigeria Expo is a Public Private Partnership Project with the Federal Ministry of Industries, Trade and Investment and the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture as lead establisment, working in concert with Welcome2Nigeria Project, as the private sector facilitator.