The Rt Hon David Lammy MP, has launched a flagship soft power campaign ‘Jollof and Tea’, which celebrates the UK and Nigeria’s cultural and creative ties.
He unveiled the campaign at a reception yesterday in Lagos, on his first visit to Africa as UK Foreign Secretary.
Hosted by the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr Jonny Baxter, the reception was attended by, the Nigerian Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism & Creative Economy, Hon. Musawa Hannatu, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery, CEO of British Film Institute (BFI), Ben Roberts, and other key figures in the creative industry.
At the launch, the UK Foreign Secretary unveiled a first of its kind phone booth, designed by Frederick ‘Dricky’ Stickman, a young, talented Nigerian graffiti and visual artist, based in Lagos.
He reiterated the UK’s commitment to encouraging talent in Nigeria and diaspora, pledging the UK’s support to strengthen partnerships in the creatives sector to benefit both our economies, including through the British Council which celebrated its 80th anniversary in Nigeria (and 90 years globally) this year.
Commenting on the campaign, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Jonny Baxter said: “The ‘Jollof and Tea’ campaign is designed to showcase the length and breadth of the UK – Nigeria partnership including the creative and cultural sectors.
“It will help raise awareness about the existing connections between the UK and Nigeria and take forward ongoing efforts by both our countries to strengthen our people-to-people links.”
While in Lagos, the Foreign Secretary attended the closing evening of Art X West Africa’s leading art fair and took a tour of the exhibition alongside Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, founder of Art X.
He also had a mini- bilateral meeting with Hon. Minister Hannatu, to understand Nigeria’s ideas for collaboration with the UK, and how the recently launched UK-Nigeria Enhanced Trade & Investment Partnership (ETIP) can help drive growth in the creative industries.
