A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Tonye Cole, has disclosed that no fewer than 319 entrepreneurs in Rivers State will undergo empowerment training under the COLE2Crea8 initiative for job creation.
Cole made this known in a statement on Friday, stressing that creativity should be treated as a serious economic sector. He said creativity is not a side economy, but a strong driver of jobs, identity, and opportunity.
“Creativity is not a side economy; it is a serious driver of jobs, identity, and opportunity. COLE2Crea8 connects talent to structure, markets, and growth,” he said.
He explained that at least 319 entrepreneurs would benefit from empowerment training across the state through the COLE2Crea8 initiative. The programme will operate across all 319 wards in Rivers State.
The Founder of COLE’ctive said the initiative is designed to convert creativity into jobs, enterprises, and inclusive economic opportunities. He noted that sectors such as arts, fashion, music, film, design, crafts, and digital content have been identified as both cultural assets and economic engines.
According to him, the scheme will integrate creativity into civic participation, enterprise development, and media visibility, ensuring that creative talent is organised, supported, and scaled.
“COLE2Crea8 reframes creativity as productive infrastructure rather than informal activity,” he said.
He added, “COLE2Crea8 is designed to support creators as entrepreneurs—linking skills, visibility, and markets into a coherent creative economy pipeline.
“Rather than isolating creatives, the programme builds shared platforms for collaboration and growth.
“At scale, COLE2Crea8 is structured to engage 319,000 creatives and creative entrepreneurs, establish 319 creative enterprise hubs, integrate storytelling into 319 Mobile TV and digital platforms, and support pathways from creation to monetisation and scale.
“COLE2Crea8 is about turning creativity into livelihoods. It builds bridges between talent, enterprise, and markets.”
