Group to Empower 319,000 Creative Entrepreneurs In Rivers

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The ‘COLE’ctive Initiative’ has unveiled plans to engage and empower 319,000 creatives and creative entrepreneurs in Rivers state.

The programme, cole2crea8, which focuses on turning creativity to sustainable livelihood will operate across all 319 wards of the State.

It would also establish 319 creative enterprise hubs and networks, activate 319 impact zones focused on creative jobs and MSME growth, and integrate creative storytelling and marketplaces into 319 mobile television and digital platforms.

The citizen-powered programme aimed at converting creativity into jobs, enterprise, and inclusive economic opportunity across Rivers State.

The programme would be targeting creatives and creative entrepreneurs in sectors such as arts, fashion, music, film, design, crafts, and digital content, according to a statement by the organisation.

As Rivers State pursues economic diversification, cole2crea8 positions the creative economy as a central pillar of inclusive growth, reinforcing the role of creativity in generating employment, strengthening identity, and advancing shared prosperity.

The programme is also designed to integrate creativity into civic participation, enterprise development, and media visibility, with a focus on organising, supporting, and scaling creative talent.

The founder of The Cole’ctive Initiative and the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 elections, Tonye Cole in a statement issued Friday said the platform reframes creativity as productive infrastructure rather than informal activity.

He noted: “Creativity is not a side economy. It is a serious driver of jobs, identity, and opportunity. cole2crea8 connects talent to structure, markets, and growth.

“The programme is structured to engage up to 319,000 creatives and creative entrepreneurs across the state, establish 319 creative enterprise hubs and networks, activate 319 impact zones focused on creative jobs and MSME growth, and integrate creative storytelling and marketplaces into 319 mobile television and digital platforms.”

Cole added that Beyond the programme would support business readiness through training, networking, exposure, and enterprise support.

He stressed that it would also link creatives to investment pathways and civic platforms, while expanding media reach to connect creative output with wider audiences, customers, and partners.

He further explained that cole2crea8 is integrated into The COLE’ctive Initiative’s five-part strategy of advocacy, activation, aggregation, acceleration, and alleviation, with a focus on embedding creative enterprise into civic participation and media narratives to drive job creation, youth empowerment, and inclusive growth.