The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has blamed Nigeria’s economic downturn on the appetite of Nigerians for foreign goods and services.
The minister, who said this during the quarterly public lecture organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), in Abuja, on Thursday, said there was the need for attitudinal change among Nigerians.
He said the task of developing Nigeria’s economy was the responsibility of everyone, calling on Nigerians to be disciplined and patriotic.
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The minister stressed the need for synergy among Federal, State and Local governments as well as private bodies to promote entrepreneurship in culture and tourism sector.
He also listed the importance of the sector to economic diversification, adding that government had launched “Change Begins with Me” campaign to foster national consciousness and appreciation for “Made in Nigeria” goods.
Mohammed said: “There is no gainsaying the fact that our appetite for foreign goods and services is a major factor in our economic meltdown.
“It is pertinent to state that the task of developing our economy is the responsibility of all Nigerians. The development will need through public-private -partnership (PPP) arrangement.
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“I am fully convinced that if all hands are on deck and government gets the support of all stakeholders, the culture sector will be of strategic importance in the economic diversification agenda of our beloved country.”
Imo State Governor, , urged the federal government to restructure Nigeria’s education system in line with “our culture.”
Okorocha, who delivered a lecture on: “Promoting Culture, Developing the Economy: A Nigerian Perspective,” called on Nigeria to celebrate its major languages to promote their cultural values instead of celebrating other people’s languages and cultures.
THE NATION
