Nigerian ministers see culture as biggest economy

Nigeria's Minister of Culture Tourism and National Orientation Edem Duke has said culture and tourism were the biggest economic sectors for the creation of jobs for the youth. The minister said this on Sunday at the opening ceremony of the Abuja Carnival 2011, adding that the role of culture and tourism in economy and creation of employment could not be over emphasized. "This is the biggest economic sector that we have to promote our millennium development goals: to create jobs for our children: opportunities for creative manifestation by our women and our rural communities," he said. He said over two million jobs were created annually in the sector, which had no fewer than two million travellers world wide. Duke said the carnival had succeeded in fostering friendship and unity among Nigerians, and assured the state governors of the ministry's commitment to working with them to unleash the cluster of tourism potential in the states. Also, Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Olajumoke Akinjide reiterated that the sector was a viable one for the economic development if properly harnessed. About 27 states and the FCT participated in the parade at the opening ceremony, which commenced with a street show.