The Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation Photizo Life Foundation (Organisers of the African Hair Summit), hosted the 2025 edition of the Annual Creativity Week, which had as its theme “Transforming World, Promoting Sustainable Development.”
The ceremony, which turned out to be a successful collaboration with the ministry, was organised by Adanna Ifeoma Enwezor, founder of the African Hair Summit, as part of their annual school community training programme to encourage creativity amongst the youth and open up opportunities for them in the natural hair industry in Africa. This ceremony took place at the main hall of Stella Maris College, Life Camp Abuja. with over 250 students. and also had in attendance dignitaries from the arts and creative sector and parents of the students who were also active guests.
In his opening remarks, the director overseeing the office of the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Raphael Oremuno, expressed delight with this year’s event’s success and assured that the ministry will continue to work for the promotion and propagation of Nigeria’s culture, creative arts, and digital economy.
According to the acting permanent secretary, National Creativity Week celebrates the power of creativity and empowers people, especially the country’s youth.
“In light of this, it gives me great joy that this particular occasion is directed towards discovering, nurturing and showcasing the innate creative potentials as well as the talent of these creative potentials as well as the talent of beautiful, young children of Stella Maris Schools Life Camp Abuja,” he stated.
He acknowledged numerous efforts being made by critical stakeholders in the sector, including Adanna Ifeoma Enwezor, the founder of the African Hair Summit and convener of the Afro-Hair Culture and Beauty Festival.
He said this year’s theme resonates with the ability of creativity to transform both the people’s mindset and the country’s economy.
“The theme of this year’s occasion is ‘Transforming the World, and Promoting Sustainable Development’. It is a testament to the ability of creativity to transform not only economically but also the mind, as well as empower everyone to imagine new ideas, make new decisions and take new steps towards making the world a better place through creativity and innovation”.
Also speaking, the executive director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shuaibu Useni, said Creativity Week is celebrated on 18 January annually around the globe, noting that it has massive potential for Nigeria’s young population in terms of empowerment and capacity building.
“This event is about becoming an entrepreneur and teaching the young generation how to care for themselves. Understanding natural hair is very important for our African culture and beauty entrepreneurship.
“I want to partner with the African Hair Summit to complete this job. We need to begin to train our young people on how to maintain natural hair so that they don’t cause health hazards by using chemicals on their bodies,” he said.
Also, the founder and CEO of the African Hair Summit and Afro-hair and Beauty Festival, Adanna Ifeoma Emwezo, recalled her ugly experience with the use of inorganic relaxers and chemicals, a situation that became a turning point when she decided to venture into the business of advocating for the promotion and acceptance of natural hair not just in Nigeria but in Africa in general.
She expressed delight in partnering with the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Digital Economy to teach and empower young students.
“I’m passionate about this advocacy. I have been doing this for the past 8 years now, and the responses and results have been impeccably outstanding.
“I urge the students to make judicious use of what they have been taught today. I thank the Arts, culture and digital economy minister and her team for this auspicious collaboration. I’m delighted about this partnership and happy that this event helped achieve our objectives of propagating opportunities in the natural hair industry, “she said.
We welcome more collaborations and partnerships in 2025. Many young people need to be empowered to be mentally and physically engaged and productive.
