News

Ramadan: ‘Our Diversity Is an Asset’ – Culture Minister Musawa Calls For Religious Harmony

Published

2 weeks ago

Mar 13, 2025.

Minister Musawa calls for religious and ethnic tolerance in Nigeria.
She emphasizes culture as an asset for national unity and economic growth.
Government plans to expand the creative industry to create jobs and wealth.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, has urged Nigerians to embrace religious and ethnic tolerance to promote peace and economic prosperity.

Musawa made the call during a Ramadan Iftar (breaking of fast) she hosted for stakeholders, ministry officials, and the media on Wednesday in Abuja.

EKO HOT BLOG reports that Emphasizing the need for tolerance and understanding, she stated that unity and development in a culturally diverse nation like Nigeria could only be achieved through mutual respect and coexistence.

EDITOR’S PICKS

“Nigeria’s cultural diversity is an asset that should be treasured by promoting understanding, respect, and acceptance,” she said. “By doing so, we can build a society where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of their heritage.”

The minister urged both Muslims and Christians to foster harmony and strengthen national unity, especially during this period when Ramadan and Lent are being observed simultaneously.

“This season is very special for me as a person of faith. Our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters are observing a time of spirituality, which provides an opportunity to emphasize unity and pray for our country,” she noted.

According to Musawa, Nigeria’s cultural wealth should be harnessed not only to promote national identity but also as an economic tool for growth.

“That culture is a national asset, and we need to explore it in ways that will expand our economy,” she added.

Musawa assured that her ministry was working to maximize Nigeria’s rich cultural and creative potential to create wealth and employment, particularly for the youth.

Beyond its economic value, she highlighted the role of the cultural and creative industry in fostering national cohesion. She called on stakeholders to initiate programs that promote unity among Nigerians of different backgrounds.

“There are good times ahead as President Bola Tinubu is committed to ensuring we build structures that will add value to Nigerians,” Musawa stated.

She explained that the government’s diversification agenda prioritizes the cultural and creative industries as key sectors for national development.

“What we have done in the last couple of months is to establish a strong institutional framework that will allow us to harness the full potential of the industry,” she revealed.

Culture Minister Musawa

The minister assured that in the coming months, her ministry would roll out various programs aimed at job creation and capacity-building, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s leading creative and cultural hub.