By joshua Nigeria Moves to Adopt ‘Soft Power Diplomacy’ to Deepen Citizens’ Understanding of Govt Policies
As part of efforts to make its policies more impactful on the day to day activities of the average Nigerian at home and in the diaspora, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to develop a soft power diplomacy model encompassing music, entertainment; tourism, and other aspects of culture.
The Minister of State for Foreigm Affairs, His Excellency Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, made this known in his office on Wednesday, 14, October when he received the leadership of ‘Ileya Omo Okun Generational Foundation, IOOGF,’ a notable cultural heritage platform, on courtesy visit.
Ambassador Enikanolaye noted that Culture had become a very critical component of diplomacy through what is known as soft power diplomacy as against strong power options. He explained that soft power was an attempt to get to the mind of people through culture, which he defined as the total way of life of a people.
“We want to project our invaluable culture like music, food, dress code, history, artefacts, and creative industry, among others. Nigeria has enormous talents or resources in this area. We are determined to harness and promote them to the outside world. It is one area we want to do more”, he said.
The Minister of State, who took special note that the creative industry was dominated by hardworking Nigerians with little or no government support, said the Tinubu administration is determined to reposition the sector. He revealed that preparations were ongoing for CANTEX, an upcoming cultural festival in Lagos, and urged his visitors to key into the initiative.
The Minister condemned the activities of pirates and the unprotected terrain of the creative industry, noting that he had always been a long-term advocate for the protection of intellectual property, insisting that people should be allowed to eat the fruits of their labour.
Earlier, the Local Organising Committee, LOC, Chairman of the Ileya Omo Okun Festival 2026, Mr. Richard Akefe, explained the rationale of the festival. He listed its features to include a recognition for motherhood (Iya ni Wura), Trailblazzer Award (Ogo Okun), Beauty Pageantry (Omidan Oge), Okun Super Cooking Competition, and Zeetia Cares (empowerment program).
Convener of the Ileya Omo Okun Festival Yeye Omoleye Adebanji Aiyelabowo and the project coordinator said her dream is to project Okun culture and to develop Okun identity as a global brand. They congratulated the minister on his appointment, describing him as a pride to his kinsmen in particular, and the country as whole.
E-signed
Richard Elesho,
SA Media and Strategic Communications to the Honourable Minister of State, Foreign Affairs
Tuesday, 13, October