Benue Government Urges PMAN to Drive Creative Economy
By Igbalagh Doris
The Director-General of the Bureau for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Benue State, Dr Shadrach Ukuma has called on the newly inaugurated Executive Council of the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Benue State Chapter, to lead the state’s creative industry towards growth and professionalism.
Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration ceremony in Makurdi, the Director-General congratulated the newly sworn-in executives and commended the PMAN family for sustaining a vital platform for performing musicians. He emphasized that the event comes at a critical moment in Benue State’s political and economic history, with the government placing arts, culture, and the creative economy at the heart of its development agenda.
According to him, “under the leadership of the Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, the state government has recognized creativity not merely as a pastime but as a productive sector, a job creator, a revenue driver, and a tool for youth inclusion and social stability.”
The Director-General highlighted music’s strategic role in this vision, describing performing musicians as entrepreneurs, employers of labour, and cultural ambassadors. He also made reference to the recent signing of a USD 15 million Memorandum of Understanding with Circuits for the establishment of the Benue Creative Industry Fund, which is intended to provide financing, infrastructure, capacity building, and market access for creatives across the value chain.
“The fund sends a clear message: Benue is open for creative business. But funds alone do not build industries. Strong institutions, credible associations, and disciplined leadership are essential,” he said, urging the new PMAN Executive Council to organize, professionalize, and position its members to access emerging opportunities through unity, professionalism, and innovation.
Dr. Ukuma assured PMAN and all credible creative bodies of the government’s continued partnership to build an inclusive, vibrant, and sustainable creative economy in Benue State.
