Founder of the Hill-Top Creative Arts Foundation, BM Dzukogi, has called on the Niger State Government to provide further clarification on the scope and official nomenclature of the proposed Niger State Entertainment Council and ₦500 million creative-sector fund announced by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
Dzukogi made the call in a reaction to the governor’s announcement of the establishment of an Entertainment Council and approval of ₦500 million in seed funding for a proposed Creative Grant Scheme.
The governor announced the measures during a meeting with entertainers from across Niger State at the Government House in Minna.
In his reaction, Dzukogi questioned whether the proposed institution would officially be known as the Niger State Entertainment Council, Niger State Creative Council, or Niger State Creativity Council.
He also asked the government to clarify the official name and scope of the proposed fund, particularly whether it is intended as an entertainment fund or a broader creativity and creative-industry fund.
Dzukogi said the clarification was important because the creative industry extends beyond entertainment and encompasses several artistic, cultural and creative professions.
He identified areas including literary arts and creative writing, publishing, printing, music, performing and visual arts, museums, galleries, libraries, crafts, film and television, radio, photography, graphic and fashion design, event management, advertising and marketing, and architecture.
According to him, if the initiative is designed for the wider creative industry, representation on the proposed council should reflect the different sectors within the industry.
He also suggested that registered organisations operating across the various creative sectors should be considered under the eligibility framework for accessing the proposed fund.
Dzukogi further drew attention to an existing legal framework, stating that the law establishing the Niger State Book and Other Intellectual Development Agency in 2012 contains provisions relating to a fund for intellectual and creative development.
He called for clarity on how the newly announced initiative would relate to existing laws and institutional arrangements.
While acknowledging the potential significance of the governor’s announcement, Dzukogi also argued that funding should be accompanied by efforts to rehabilitate and improve creative facilities across the state.
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