By Laraba MUREY
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Sports Commission to develop a mega Sports and Cultural City within the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The agreement, announced in a statement signed by Dr. Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Minister, was sealed on Thursday in Abuja to harness arts, culture, tourism, and sports for youth empowerment, job creation and national development.
Speaking at the signing, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the partnership as a new dawn for Nigeria’s creative and sports sectors.
“Partnering with the sports industry through this MoU will empower the younger generation, promote our culture, and boost the economy. If replicated across states, it will bring jobs and help tackle insecurity,” Musawa said.
On his part, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are committed to revamping our sports facilities and turning the stadium into a sports city that showcases our history, culture, and creativity,” Dikko stated.
The project, which will run on a Public-Private Partnership model, will feature a national museum, performance arena, youth innovation hub, cultural market, mounted games arena and eco-lodges, among others.
