Seychelles and Nigeria explore possible exchanges in the arts, fashion and sports |02 October 2021

Minister Zialor and her delegation (photo left) during their meeting with HC Yunusa and his delegation

Potential areas of cooperation in sports and youth development between Seychelles and Nigeria was the main topic of discussion this week between the Seychelles Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor and the newly accredited non-resident high commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Seychelles, Yusuf Yunusa.

This was during a courtesy call by HC Yunusa on Minister Zialor at the Family House, Bel Eau.

Minister Zialor is eyeing capacity building from Nigeria's well-established creative and fashion industries for youth development in Seychelles.

“There is an interest among our youth for content production and arts. With the help of the professionals of Nollywood, which produces more movies than Hollywood, we will push for shared expertise through our cooperation,” Minister Zialor said.

Links between the two countries in the fashion industry have already been established as fashion designers from Nigeria are already participating in the Seychelles Fashion Week.

The other area of interest is sports and the possibility to have coaches from Nigeria come to Seychelles and to train high-level athletes and sports officials as part of the ministry’s high-level sports programme and professionalising sports in the island nation.

Minister Zialor also encouraged friendly matches between the two countries, and extended an invitation to Nigerian sports professionals, especially those who have retired from basketball and football, to come to Seychelles in line with the aspire to inspire programme.

High Commissioner Yunusa welcomed these initiatives and gave his assurances to Minister Zialor that upon his return to Seychelles more concrete discussions will take place.

Contributed