Creative Industry has been one of the most employer of labour in Nigeria and through Nollywood and Other entertainment platforms, fashion and others Nigeria is one of the biggest creative industry in the world. It is disheartening that persons with disabilites has not been well represented in this industry not as a result of lack of talent but as result of discriminatory environment that they found themselves which have also contribute to their low self-esteem and again not being abreast with the opportunities available for them to excel in their art. Again, lacking in capacity to develop themselves and bring the talent to the limelight.
It is based on the above reasons that Potters Gallery Initiative with support from UNESCO/IFCD organized a 3Day Boot Camp on Improving Market Access for Person’s with Disabilities.
The event which took place on Thur 16th, Fri 17th & Sat 18th February in Abuja, 2023 brought together persons with disabilites who are into music, acting, fashion, creative writing, broadcasting, bakery and many more to enhance their capacity to access the huge market of creative industry.
The Founder and Chief Creative Director, Potters Gallery Initiative, Donald Unaka told TQM that the aim of the creative boot camp is to enhance the capacity of PWDs in the creative industry.
“It is important that the capacity of PWDs is built in the creative industry for them to participate effective, we don’t want to society to engage PWDs out of Pity, that’s why it is necessary that we took out to build the capacity of PWDs so that they engage from the angle of strength”.
Speaking further, he said that the training will enable them to understand the creative industry better, the entire ecosystem, how to engage and the dynamics of the market.
He thanked UNESCO for making it possible for PWDs to acquire this knowledge and capacity at no cost.
“We are training 50 PWDs across all arts and we believe that after the training, they will complete favourably with their counterparts without disabilities.
One of the participants, Comfort Ekwo, a TV and Radio Presenter, a model who is blind told TQM that she has learnt to believe in herself and showcase her art with confidence.
She also said that it provided an opportunity for her to learn from others and make some informed decisions in her art.
Another participant, Maryann Okeke, a fashion designer who is an amputee told TQM that the training provided some solution on how to engage her customers and also how to promote market access for her fashion business.
The event witnessed training on digital marketing, Communication, Copyright and many other interesting topics.
The event witnessed sharing of experiences and storytelling on how some participants were carrying out their activities.
