DR. PATRICK I. OKPAH, OONPresident, Nigerian Arts Group

(Oct. 22, 2016)AT UNIPORT

ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM AS VEHICLES FOR WEALTH-CREATION

DEFINITION OF TERMSThe Arts: A generic word for various forms

such as visual art, music, theatre, literature, etc, when you think of them as a group. These are broadly classified as Visual Art (Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, e.t.c), Literary Arts (Poems, Prose, Literature, e.t.c) and Performing Art ( Dance, Drama, Music, Theatre, Films / Movies, Cinema, e.t.c)

Culture: The customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group.

DEFINITION OF TERMS (CONTD.)Tourism: The business activities connected

with the temporary movement of individuals or groups within or outside a state or nation for recreation, holiday, health, study, religion, conference or sports reasons. Tourists are often interested in discovering places, sites and things that offer attractions, social and psychological comfort.

Wealth: A large amount of something - tangible and intangible; talent, information, experience, property, money et.c)

STRUCTURE OF THE INDUSTRY / SECTOR IN NIGERIA

PUBLIC SECTOR (Government Ministry & Parastatals that drive the Industry) Some Parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture: CBAAC (Centre for Black African Arts and Culture) NCMM (National Commission for Museums and Movement) NCAC (National Council for Arts and Culture) NGA (National Gallery of Art) NICO (National Institute for Cultural Orientation) NOA (National Orientation Agency) NIHOTOUR (Nigerian Institute for Hospitality and Tourism) NT (National Theatre) NTN (National Troupe of Nigeria) NTDC (Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation)

NB: Others (Information-related) are NTA, FRCN, NBC, VOA, NAN, etc.

PRIVATE SECTOR (Some Organizations or Initiatives that contribute to the Industry / Sector)

Society for Nigerian Artists (SNA)Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN)Copyright Society of Nigeria (CSN)Community for Relevant Art (CORA) Nigerian Arts Group (NAG) et.c

CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE INDUSTRY (ARTS, CULTURE AND TOURISM) TO NIGERIA.A major employer of labour (over one hundred types

of jobs available)A purveyor of culture (the totality of the cultural

components of Nigeria can be transported through the industry) “Americanisation” of the world was achieved especially through Hollywood

It plays very important role in education and human resource development. (Audio visual aids and documentary films now play significant role in teaching and knowledge impartation, even for children and churches)

It serves as tool for national mobilization, unity, social / political mobilization and information. (e.g. about government policies and ideologies using music, plays, banners, posters and other print media materials to convey a particular cause or message).

CONTD.It serves entertainment and therapeutic purposes

(comedy, movies are for entertainment and relaxation)

It serves as tool and store for research findings and historic events.

It is a major income earner (including foreign exchange for Nigeria).

It helps to positively project Nigeria’s Image.The Culture sector creates a NIGHT LIFE income

earning model for Nigeria (where Nigerian films, food, cinema, theatre, music, e.t.c can operate / work for 24 hours of the day, as against “8-5p.m” work hours of other industries / sectors).

An Entrepreneur may be defined as "a person who is able to look at the environment, identify opportunities to improve the environment, marshal resources, and implement action to maximize those opportunities".

This implies that the entrepreneur should be able to identify that particular environmental opportunity he wishes to take advantage of, before embarking on the venture. These opportunities are varied.

BOOTSTRAPPINGThe highlighting of these opportunities is

however, beyond the scope of this paper. The paper is designed to help the 'new' entrepreneur in the Arts, Culture and Tourism Industry to start business and survive the highly volatile business environment with very limited funds.

Believe it or not, it is quite possible to start a new business and make it succeed with little or very limited funds to begin with. In America, this is known as BOOTSTRAPPING and many successful American companies were started this way. What is the secret?

Get operational quickly. Target a small market for a start, using a "copy cat" idea that is already doing well in that market. This saves market research costs and staves off competition from large, established companies.

We should not believe that the economy should create jobs for us when we have ALL its takes to start and maintain an entrepreneurial Venture and SUCCEED at it.

Look for quick break-even, cash-generating projects. Be flexible Offer high value goods/services that can sustain direct personal selling. Ensure your goods/services will meet a market need Speed decision-making and process by a factor of 4 Think horizontal Promote intrapreneurial growth Eliminate the middle management messenger Do not be information illiterate Concentrate on the customer Fight bureaucracy (excessive protocols) Act

CONCLUSIONThe dearth of increasing number of successful

entrepreneurial ventures in our dear country, Nigeria, calls for a critical challenge to us all. We should seek to harness the potentials in each of us towards the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), chief amongst which is the issue of POVERTY ALLEVIATION/ERADICATION.

My Testimony and ExperiencesThanks for listeningQ&A Everything begins with belief. It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can do a lot. Do

what you can. "Do not despise little things: a lantern can do what the sun can never do - shine at night". RISE TO THE CHALLENGE... AND EXCEL!