by Wilfred Okiche

The British Council’s Creative Industry Expo will be holding from 4 – 7 December 2011. The fair is organised to deepen the exchange of knowledge between creative businesses in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The Council has confirmed the attendance of leading professionals who will converge at Eko Hotel and Suites to take part in the three day event.

“This is an opportunity for awareness, growth, development, trade and industry. We have refreshed our programmes targeted at the creative sector and this is the major beginning of a range of projects.” said Olamipo Bello, Project Manager at the Council.

Several dignitaries are scheduled to make an appearance on the first day of the event, they include; Chief Edem Duke; Minister of Culture and Tourism and Mr Ian Livingstone; Life President, Eidos UK, they will both be delivering keynote speeches.

The event features a discussion panel which focuses on experiences in developing creative industries for social and economic growth, forging relationships between public agencies and the creative economy, policy and regulatory models suitable to generate jobs, wealth and cultural engagement and how creative practitioners, Industry reps and associations influence this agenda.

Members of the panel include professionals like Joke Silva; Director, Lufodo Academy of Performing Arts, Remi Ogunpitan; Managing Director, Integrated Broadcast Services and Technologies, Ituen Basi; Award winning Fashion Designer, Omoyemi Akerele; CEO Style House Files, Efere Ozako; CEO, Efere Ozako & Associates Initiative, Greg Odutayo; President, National Association of  Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners, Martin Smith; Special Adviser, Ingenious Media, UK, Margaret Bolton; Consultant, UK Third Sector Policy. Moderators for the event are Ben Tomoloju; Cultural Activist and first Arts Editor for The Guardian Newspaper and Seke Somolu; Writer/Film maker.

Day two and three will focus on various interest areas which include; The Creative Entrepreneur and Blended Solutions: Public and Private Sector Development Models for the Creative Industries. It also features professional clinics in Advertising, Architecture, Visual Arts and Photography and a film Showcase. Also speaking are John Asein; Director, Nigerian Copyright Commission, Kaine Agary; Editor, D Talk Shop, Tom Broughton; Digital Media Strategist, UK, Barbel Mauch and Thomas Tielsch, both Independent Producers and Representatives of Documentary Association, Germany, Juliet Ehimuan; Country Manager, Google Nigeria amongst others.

Makin Soyinka, Director, Lagos Film Office, Chude Jideonwo; Managing Partner, Red Media Group, Emem Ema; CEO, Vzhunmedia Limited and Gbenga Sesan; CEO, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, would act as moderators for the event.

The closing keynote would be done by Senator Liyel Imoke; Governor, Cross River State.

The British Council Creative Fair is one of several activities and events used by the council to enhance cultural integration between Nigeria and UK as well as promote the growth of local cultural heritage, industries and Nigeria’s local talent.

This is the first edition of the Creative fair and it is structured to be an annual event.

Oluwapelumi