Veteran Nollywood actress, Joke Silva has been given an appointment by the Lagos State Government.
She is to chair the state’s Post ccovid19 Pandemic Review Committee. The committees was launched on Thursday by the Lagos State Government to give recommendations on how to revamp the creative and tourism sectors of the economy.
Also in the team are Gbenga Sunmonu, Dr Adun Okupe, Oyenike Okundaye,Patrick Donald Lee and Nigeria’s ace comedian, Atunyota Akpobome also known as Ali Baba.
At the Launch of the committee, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf said it has become necessary to reactivate the tourism sector that has put on hold by the covid19 pandemic.
According to Akinbile-Yusuf, “the situation in the world today was not predetermined. This is where we are and this is what we have happening to us.
“The tourism sector is one of the worst-hit sectors by this pandemic because, on a daily basis, Lagos records new cases and we must not shy away from the fact that covid19 is still with us.
Speaking further, she that, “Everywhere is shut down. The airline operators are not operating, there is nothing like art exhibitions and hospitality businesses have been put on. So we want to find a way to sustain our economy and the industry, even with the pandemic and see how best we can can continue to improve on the creative sector.”
The committee was given 2 weeks to study and submit recommendations on the effect of #COVID19 on the creative and tourism industries. Its report should also recommend short to medium term loans and grants to encourage a restart and mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
On her part, Chairman of the committee, Joke Silva thanked the state government for the opportunity to serve and promised that her team would work to meet expectations.
According to her, “I’m lucky to have intelligent people as members of the committee because they are men and women who are very knowledgeable and passionate about the industry.
“I know that our collaboration will result in good recommendations. The creative industry has been greatly affected by covid19 but we will get through it”
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