By Prevail Inegbenose
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has called for long-term cultural, tourism and creative partnerships between Abuja and China’s Hunan Province, saying the collaboration could create new opportunities for artists, young creatives and tourism professionals.
The FCT Administration made the call on Thursday at the “Shared Moon, Shared Moments: Meeting Africa, Hunan Culture and Tourism in Nigeria” cultural exchange programme held in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Social Development Secretariat (SDS), in the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Olubunmi Olowookere said Abuja’s position as Nigeria’s capital and a meeting point for the country’s diverse cultures made the city particularly suitable for deeper cultural and tourism collaboration with Hunan.
Olowookere said the FCT saw opportunities for cooperation in cultural exchange, creative industries, heritage promotion, tourism development, skills development and the preservation of traditional arts.
“Abuja is not only Nigeria’s federal capital, it is also a meeting point for the diverse cultures of Nigeria and a gateway to the country’s tourism and creative possibilities,” the representative said.
According to her, Hunan’s experience in cultural heritage preservation, tourism development, destination branding, performing arts, handicrafts and creative economy development could provide areas for knowledge exchange with Abuja.
She stressed that the relationship should be mutually beneficial, noting that Nigeria also has extraordinary cultural diversity, festivals, artistic expressions and natural attractions that could be promoted to Chinese visitors.
Olowookere therefore called for the cultural exchange to go beyond a one-day event and develop into sustained institutional partnerships between Abuja and Hunan.
“Let our artists collaborate. Let our cultural institutions exchange knowledge. Let young Nigerians and young Chinese creatives have opportunities to learn from one another,” the representative said.
The Permanent Secretary also proposed greater collaboration among museums, cultural centres, performing arts organisations, tourism professionals and creative entrepreneurs from both sides.
She said such partnerships could enable Chinese visitors to discover Abuja and other Nigerian tourism destinations, while Nigerians would have opportunities to explore the cultural and tourism attractions of Hunan and China.
Olowookere said the collaboration was not only about promoting tourism but also about creating opportunities, strengthening relationships and contributing to economic and social development.
She commended the China Cultural Centre in Nigeria, the Hunan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and other organisations involved in bringing the programme to Abuja.
According to her, the theme, “Shared Moon, Shared Moments,” symbolised the common humanity shared by Nigerians and Chinese despite differences in language, history and traditions.
“The moon we share today is a symbol of connection. The moments we share today is a symbol of friendship, and the meeting here in Africa is an invitation to build something that will continue long after this event is over,” the representative said.
She expressed hope that the programme would open the door to more exchanges, partnerships and opportunities between Abuja and Hunan, particularly in culture, tourism and the creative economy.
Abuja Times reports that the event featured performances by artists and cultural practitioners from Hunan, including music, dance, acrobatics, theatre and traditional arts, alongside presentations and showcasing Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
