Dr. Uyi Oduwa Malaka, the Honourable Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, delivered a powerful and visionary address at the Cultural Stakeholders Engagement, themed “Rekindling Our Cultural Nexus: Its Socio-Economic Impact on Edo State.”
The event, held in Benin City, brought together cultural stakeholders, creatives, and tourism experts to explore the state’s rich cultural heritage and its potential to drive economic growth.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Malaka emphasized the importance of Edo’s cultural renaissance, noting the pivotal role it plays in the socio-economic transformation of the state.
She highlighted how Governor Godwin Obaseki has, over the past eight years, spearheaded a comprehensive rediscovery of the Edo identity, positioning culture and heritage as cornerstones of the state’s development agenda. She also mentioned the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub created by the governor to provide a spatial infrastructure for Creatives to train, trade their Art and create. And also the Museum of West African Arts (MOWAA), which consists of a gallery, transparent artists work rooms, storage facility, a rain forest, artist live in quarters among other attractions.
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“For us in this space, the Edo Heritage, Cultural, Tourism, and Creatives Renaissance is both a graphic and palpable reality,” Dr. Malaka stated. “This is not just an aspiration; it is the most transcendental and experiential legacy Governor Obaseki is leaving behind for the people of Edo State. The Governor has led an unwavering effort to unearth Edo’s rich cultural resources and ensure their rightful place in the global narrative of great historical civilizations. These cultural assets are now being harnessed to generate economic growth and wealth for the people.”
Dr. Malaka detailed the methods and strategies that Governor Obaseki has employed to achieve this ambitious goal. She pointed to the establishment of critical support structures such as the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub (VUCH), which provides a world-class space for creatives to train, produce, and market their work. The hub has quickly become a nexus for Edo’s burgeoning creative industry.
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The Commissioner underscored the museum’s potential to elevate Edo’s cultural standing on the global stage.
“Edo State has successfully mapped out an entire Cultural District that incorporates the Benin City Mall, MOWAA, Igun Street, the Oba’s Palace, the Benin City moats, and the Oba Akenzua Cultural Centre,” Dr. Malaka explained. “This district is designed to harness the economic power of arts, culture, and heritage while providing employment and revenue opportunities for the state’s youth. We have also seen increased film production in Edo, with filmmakers flocking here to shoot their projects, showcasing our state’s rich cultural background.”
She also addressed the recent hosting of the world-famous Edo-born music artist, REMA, as a testament to the state’s growing influence in the global cultural and entertainment sectors. According to Dr. Malaka, these investments are already yielding significant economic returns, with Edo becoming a major cultural hub in Nigeria and beyond.
However, the Commissioner acknowledged that there is still work to be done, particularly in the hospitality industry, which he noted plays a crucial role in accommodating the influx of tourists and cultural visitors. He emphasized the need for the industry to raise its standards in customer relations, hygiene, and cuisine to meet the expectations of visitors.
“The hospitality sector is vital to the success of our cultural and tourism renaissance,” Dr. Malaka remarked. “We must ensure that our hotels, restaurants, and services meet world-class standards. This engagement today provides a platform to bring stakeholders in the industry up to speed with the exciting developments in the arts and tourism ecosystem.”
In closing, Dr. Malaka expressed optimism about the future, citing the expert panelists and resource persons who will offer insights into navigating Edo’s vast cultural and tourism ecosystem. He reiterated the government’s commitment to leveraging Edo’s rich cultural heritage as a comparative advantage in the global marketplace, driving economic growth and improving the quality of life for all citizens.
“As we move forward, we are confident that the investments made in Edo’s cultural, heritage, and tourism sectors will continue to bear fruit. Our task now is to ensure that these resources are fully harnessed for the benefit of our people. Together, we can make Edo State a global destination for arts, culture, and tourism.”
The Cultural Stakeholders Engagement concluded with lively discussions and collaborations aimed at further strengthening Edo State’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination in Africa.
