COVID-19: Arts Entrepreneur Seeks Lifelines For SMEs

A creative arts entrepreneur, Chief Chinwe Ezenwa, told the Federal Government on Saturday to provide lifelines to Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (SMEs) for the Nigerian economy to survive the impact of the coronavirus.

Ezenwa, Creative Director of a company, known as Le Look Nigeria, made the call at an online meeting, organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), to address emerging trends in the Nigerian arts and culture industry.

She said that the government must give adequate attention to SMEs for an assured sustenance of the economy because the SMEs are the “life of the Nigerian economy”.

Ezenwa noted that although SMEs were classified as belonging to the informal sector, the government should turnaround the sector by providing adequate funding to the sector to make it formal.

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“Banks and corporate bodies have failed us. We need help for our tailors, vulcanisers, and shoe-makers, who are really trying to survive this difficult period.”

The artist advised Nigerians to take a cue from the military establishment, which she said, was always preparing and planning for wars ahead by putting contingencies into consideration.

“Nigerians must begin to plan ahead for occurrences like the coronavirus pandemic. We should always put contingencies into consideration.”

She also spoke on the need for Nigerians to work together in raising entrepreneurs, who would use their skills to rebuild the economy after the COVID-19 crisis.

Ezenwa said that while the pandemic had rendered many Nigerians confused, a post-pandemic prosperity mindset must be embraced to ginger the populace to become more creative.

According to her, the outbreak of the virus has also created business opportunities for young people to latch on.

She recommended that individuals, business entities, religious bodies, and other entities must collaborate at this critical period to save the economy from entering a recession.

“The country is faced with economic, health, and now sexual pandemic. People are confused as the order of activities has been altered but we can still become creative, to bring out the best from our economy.

“I urge all Nigerians to develop entrepreneurship spirit, develop the courage to succeed, be creative, be good risk-takers, and be proactive to handle the negative impact of the pandemic on businesses.

“We need to operate at the speed of relevance so that post-COVID-19 will be prosperous for us all.’’

Earlier Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director-General of the NCAC, said that Nigerian culture, dance, drama, music, and others would be explored to serve as a therapeutic cure for COVID-19.

He said that performances from NCAC headquarters would be available soon for viewing at different locations nationwide.

According to him, the performances will also be available on zoom and other social media platforms to help in uniting the country.

By Taiye Olayemi/Vivian Ibobo