Ugo Aliogo and Esther Ehoche
As part of efforts to expand economic and cultural bilateral relations between Nigeria and France, the Embassy of Nigeria will host the French business community to an exhibition which will showcase Nigeria’s finest art, cuisine, fashion, music, film and traditional games on the platform Nigeria Creative Arts Exchange.
Disclosing this to journalist in an address at a media briefing in Lagos saturday to announce the activities lined for the exhibition, the Nigeria Ambassador to France, Modupe Irele, said Nigeria’s art, music, film, and fashion in recent times have received international acclaim, stating that this has shown that there are industries that can and in many cases already are successfully operating internationally at the requisite standards.
She also stated that it is important to note that the event is not only an opportunity to exhibit country’s culture and showcase her talent, but also is a platform to harness the positive publicity created by the above mentioned industries to stimulate broader interest in Nigeria and strengthen the foundation for investment and transact business with Nigeria.
Irele whose speech was delivered by the Chairman of Art of Life Foundation, Chief Taiwo Taiwo, expressed confidence that the platform would be appreciated by their French counterparts whose country boasts some of the top cultural institutions in the world and contribute an important part of her economy.
She further stated that they would use the platform to create a forum where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links, in a relaxed setting, adding that they would invite participants to experience the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display and to use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which would range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, and others.
The Ambassador added: “Through the Nigerian Creative Arts Exchange we are thus creating a forum where participants can make enquiries, network and build useful links, in a relaxed setting. We will invite participants to experience the elements of Nigerian culture that will be on display, and use the occasion to initiate conversations with representatives from the different industries which will range from fashion to pharmaceuticals, agriculture to real estate, finance to tourism, amongst others. These together represent a wide array of trade opportunities.â€
The event would feature some of the creative industry giants such as Bisi Silva (world acclaimed visual arts curator); Ituen Bassey (Fashion); Orange Culture (Fashion); Andrea Iyamah (Fashion); Lanre Da Silva (Fashion); Chef Tiyan and Chef Fregz (Cuisine); Kemi Lala Akindoju (Nollywood) and Adekunle Gold (Singer-Songwriter).
