Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori unveils Asaba as UNESCO Creative City

By Godwin Okondo

THE Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday, unveiled the Asaba UNESCO Creative City of Film. He also unveiled the logo of the Creative City.

Represented by his deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme at the event which took place at Government House, Asaba, the governor disclosed that Asaba was designated as UNESCO Creative City because the city was renowned for making epic and contemporary films (Nollywood), which formed a comparative advantage for the success of the application.

He stated that it was in recognition of the vast potential of the state in the creative arts through the construction of the ultra-moden Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park that Asaba was designated as UNESCO Creative City.

Oborevwori said, “I welcome you to Asaba, the Capital City of Delta State on this special occasion of the unveiling of Asaba Creative City of Film and logo as a prestigious member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). Without doubt, this is a remarkable milestone for Delta State. You will recall that Asaba was designated as a UNESCO Creative City of Film in October 2023 on UNESCO World Cities Day.

“The recognition of Asaba as a Creative City makes it the second UNESCO city in Nigeria, the first being Bide Creative City of Folk Arts and Craft in Niger State. The Creative Cities Network, currently comprises 350-members cities from more than 100 countries, and across creative fields, namely: Architecture, Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Media, Arts and Music.

Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park, Asaba

“UNESCO designated Asaba as a Creative City of Film because the city is renowned for making epic and contemporary films (Nollywood), which formed a comparative advantage for the success of our application. In recognition of our vast potential in the creative arts, Delta State Government constructed the ultra-moden Maryam Babangida Film Village and Leisure Park. This flagship project helped to earn Asaba the recognition we are witnessing today.”

The governor appreciated the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, National Commission for UNESCO, (NATCOM), Nigeria Office, and the creative arts practitioners, Asaba branch for their contributions to the success story of Asaba Creative City of Film.

The state Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Darlington Ijeh in his remarks, said that the formal unveiling and designation of Asaba as a Creative City was a testament to Governor Sherifff Oborevwori’s delivery on his M.O.R.E. Agenda, stressing that the creative industry has received a boost.

In a goodwill message, Secretary-General, Nigeria National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM UNESCO), Dr. Olagunju Idowu Lateef, said he was happy with the formal unveiling and designation of Asaba as a Creative City of Film in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

He said the contributions of Asaba to Nollywood is a significant factor that contributed to its Creative Economy and Cultural endowment and enlistment as a UNESCO Creative City, saying that the city stands to benefit culturally, historically, and socio-economically.