Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has emphasized the critical role of the creative economy in addressing climate challenges and unlocking development opportunities in Katsina State.
Speaking at the Katsina State Climate Action and Green Investment Summit in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister highlighted the state’s unique climate-related challenges, including desertification, water scarcity, and unpredictable rainfall, which threaten agriculture, livelihoods, and food security.
She stated that by embracing creativity and innovation, particularly through the power of the creative economy, Katsina State can unlock new pathways to sustainable development, job creation, and social progress.
The Minister outlined ways the creative economy can contribute to climate solutions, including raising awareness through art and media, developing sustainable fashion and textiles, promoting renewable energy solutions, and eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism.
“The creative economy has the potential to be a powerful force in addressing some of our most pressing environmental issues.
One of the key roles of the creative industries is to educate and raise awareness. The power of storytelling, film, music, and visual arts can play a transformative role in communicating the urgency of climate action. Through documentaries, songs, performances, and visual art, we can engage communities, inform them about the risks posed by climate change, and inspire them to take action.”
Minister Musawa also said that developing sustainable fashion and textiles using eco-friendly materials and practices can reduce environmental degradation. She recommended leveraging eco-tourism and cultural heritage tourism to preserve natural resources and promote local culture.
“We can use our local textiles to create a fashion industry that not only celebrates our cultural identity but also helps combat climate change by reducing its environmental footprint.
“By investing in training and innovation in the fashion sector, we can create jobs for our youth, particularly women, and position Katsina as a leader in sustainable fashion in the country”.
She called for strong partnerships between government, private sector, NGOs, and local communities to implement solutions and urged all stakeholders to take up the challenge of climate change with creativity and passion, working together to build a sustainable future for Katsina State.
Addressing the State’s Climate Action and Green Investment Summit, the State Governor, H.E. Dr. Dikko Umar Radda highlighted the state’s climate challenges and opportunities. He emphasized the need for collective action to transform challenges into development opportunities.
The Governor showcased Katsina’s achievements in climate action, including irrigation projects, solar-powered boreholes, and tree planting initiatives. He also unveiled the Katsina State Green Growth Agenda (KAGGA), a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable development which focuses on four pillars; Climate-Smart Agriculture, Renewable Energy Leadership, Ecosystem Restoration, and Green Industrialization.
The Governor called for collaborative partnerships with investors, development partners, and communities to achieve KAGGA’s ambitious goals, including planting 10 million trees, establishing climate-resilient farming cooperatives, and promoting green industries. He emphasized the potential for job creation, economic growth, and a sustainable future for Katsina State.
“KAGGA is a roadmap to harmonize economic progress with ecological preservation. Through Climate Action Cooperatives, our administration will annually train 15,000 of our women and youth in green skills. From solar engineering to sustainable forestry, we will ensure no one is left behind. The green economy could create over 50,000 jobs in Katsina by 2030, and we are determined that our young people will be prepared to fill them”, the governor stated.
