By Jude Michael
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has set out plans to revive the creative industry in the state as a way to create employment for youths.
The Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, Mr Don Onyenji, stated this in a press briefing ahead of the grand opening of the Awka Solution Fun City; a major entertainment centre in the state, which opened to the public, June 27.
Onyenji said the creative industry was among the highest employer of youths, and that Soludo had set out plans to develop the creative industry as a way of pulling young people out of unemployment. Sequel to this, the Commissioner said the governor would on Friday night hold a dinner with members of the creative industry to seek ways to promote the industry in the state.
He said the Governor and the creatives would be brainstorming over the establishment of Anambra Film Village.
Speaking on the grand opening of Solution Fun City, Onyenji said: ‘We have in the Solution Fun City, the Country Club, the Family Fun Centre, games for children, cinema, six different swimming pools, and, of course, some fun environment to provide leisure for Anambra people.
‘On the 28th we have arranged comedians, musicians led by our renowned musician, Flavour, who is a native of Anambra State, as well as Umu Obiligbo, Ojadili and Onye Obodo, who will headline the event.
‘Before that Saturday, on Friday 27th, the Creatives in Anambra State would be hosted by Mr Governor at a dinner; a good productive and fruitful dinner for the first time in Anambra State. The governor is inviting players in the creative industry.
‘They include film makers, musicians, content creators and a lot of them, as well as fashion designers. At that dinner some discussions would be held to make it big to realize the potentials of Anambra people in a well-intentioned and choreographed manner.
‘At the end of that we shall kick start a collective movement that would really make Anambra State the hub of creative industry, where people can invest relax and enjoy.
‘Anambra must take its place in the Committee of the Creatives after Lagos, and Mr Governor is very interested in pushing this,’ Onyenji stated.
Also speaking the Managing Director and CEO of Solution Fun City, Mr Mohammed Farrag, explained that the Fun City was one that we would add value to the development of the entertainment industry.
‘We have made employments in Anambra State and these are graduates and they have been on training on how to deliver services here at the Fun City.
‘We have employed a total 85 persons from Anambra State and I am the only expatriate in this place and as they work, they gain experience.
‘The cost of the facilities is affordable for people to use and we have compared the cost in other amusement parks and entertainment centres in the country and we are cheaper than all amusement parks in Nigeria,’ he said.
