BREAKING : South East Creative Economy Summit Moves To Imo State

The much anticipated South East Creative Economy Summit initially billed to hold in Umuahia, has been rescheduled to hold in Owerri, Imo State capital and provisionally slated for December 18 to 19, 2024.

This was announced when the organizing team paid a courtesy call on the Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Hon. Jerry Egemba and the State Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi in Owerri on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.

In his address, the Summit Coordinator and CEO of Ojemba Media and Entertainment Limited, Mr. Victor Nwokocha appealed for Governor Hope Uzodinma’s support, underscoring that the choice of Imo State as host for the Summit followed a thorough evaluation of Governor Uzodinma’s milestones in the culture, tourism and hospitality sub-sectors, particularly his resuscitation of the iconic Ahiajoku Festival and Lectures which is very dear to Igbo people all over the world.

While expressing confidence that Governor Uzodinma’s intervention would give hope to the South East creative industry, he informed that the Summit is themed ‘Intellectual Property, Entertainment Technology and Wealth Creation: Imperatives for Enhancing the South East Creative Economy’.

Mr. Nwokocha stressed that the Summit, first of its kind in the history of Eastern Nigeria, is not a mere talk shop but a serious capacity building program that would feature training sessions facilitated by renowned experts. He further emphasized that the Summit is not only focused on creative industry practitioners but also on commercial users of copyright content, to enlighten them on the need for compliance with intellectual property laws as catalysts for economic growth.

On his part, while appreciating the Honourable Commissioners for their warm reception, the Summit Director of Programs and South East Coordinator for National Festival of Arts and Culture, Chief Obiajulu Peter Edochie, said that the Summit is also devised as a congress of creative industry practitioners to seek ways to enhance the organizational structure of the South East Creative Industry, and evolve data-based blueprint to aid planning, investment, regulation and evaluation following statutory protocols at the national and sub-national levels. He equally appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma whom he described as “an innovative pathfinder and result-oriented leader” to throw his weight behind the historic Summit.

Responding, the State Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Hon. Jerry Egemba, commended the initiative which he said aligns with Governor Uzodinma’s vision for the creative industry especially in Imo State and the South East, and could provide an auspicious platform for more extensive implementation the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with particular focus on the creative economy. He expressed optimism that the Governor would identify with the Summit.

The State Commissioner for Digital Economy and e-Government, Dr. Chimezie Amadi, in his response, said he was pleased to note that the Summit objectives are in line with Governor Uzodinma’s pioneering efforts to cultivate a robust culture of applied technology in driving solutions across all sectos in the State.

According to him, “Governor Hope Uzodinma is a man profoundly endowed with ‘Uche’ and ‘Uchu’ in the context of Igbo cosmology and philosophy. He digs deep to craft data-driven solutions that transcend periodic and physical limitations. This reflects in his tireless efforts to standardize the Imo hospitality and creative sectors, and enthrone cultural renaissance through the Ahiajoku Lecture Series which is now fully digitized to facilitate global access to its resources. The South East Creative Economy Summit obviously fits into the Governor’s vision, considering its value propositions and the Governor’s advocacy for socio-economic development of the South East, consistent with President Tinubu’s drive to strengthen regional economies as foundations for national economic growth. We believe that His Excellency would be glad to have the Summit on his agenda.”

Mr. Nwokocha thanked the Honourable Commissioners and assured that the Summit which is pan-Nigeria in scope, shall further explore mechanisms for efficient public private partnerships towards stronger enforcement of Nigerian Copyright Laws and a wider application of intellectual property instruments to boost talent development and economic prosperity for all, especially in the South East.

The courtesy visit which was attended by senior officials of the two Ministries, featured group photographs and presentation of Summit souvenirs to the Honourable Commissioners.

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