Visionary dancer Kafayat Shafau, globally celebrated as Kaffy, has issued a compelling plea for enhanced investment in the art of dance, recognizing its profound capacity as an instrument for individual empowerment and a catalyst for national prosperity.
Kaffy passionately articulated this call during a news conference held this Wednesday in Lagos, where she also proudly unveiled “Transform with Kaffy,” an innovative wellness and fitness initiative poised to debut on August 9.
This groundbreaking event, personally spearheaded by Kaffy, is meticulously designed to revolutionize the landscape of health and well-being across the African continent. Through engaging discussions and explorations of diverse wellness topics, “Transform with Kaffy” aims to inspire holistic transformation.
Kaffy noted that dance had evolved beyond mere stage entertainment, noting that it plays a critical role in advertising, marketing, education, and cultural promotion.
She added that she had already created a platform for creatives to thrive, which she believes would positively impact the country’s socioeconomic landscape.
“Dance is often seen as a form of entertainment, but it has evolved beyond the stage and is playing a critical role in advertising, marketing, education, and cultural promotion.
“These are sectors that contribute significantly to economic growth, and we can see that from music videos, commercials, stage productions, and brand campaigns; dance helps to shape narratives that drive consumer behaviour and national identity.
“Dance has offered young people not just a means of self-expression but a pathway to entrepreneurship, employment, and global recognition, so it is paramount that the public and private sectors key into this.
“With all these in mind, it has become imperative for the government and the private sector to invest in this, as it would help in curbing a lot of social vices amongst the youth,” she emphasised.
Kaffy revealed that she had built a platform where upcoming dancers could showcase their talents and creativity, noting that her agency provides the proper structure for young creatives to thrive.
She, therefore, called for stronger collaboration between the private and public sectors to help boost the creative industry.
“We have created a platform and agency for young, aspiring dancers to thrive. We have many creatives in our agency whom we train and give the platform to shine on.
“We have put in place the right structure to nurture their talents, but we need more investors to truly invest in this so we can achieve our main goal.
“Dancers have excelled on international platforms, showcasing our rich culture and creativity. So, imagine the impact if we had structured investments.
“We urge the public and private sectors to key into this cause, as dance can generate revenue through tourism, international collaborations, and the creative economy,” she said.
Kaffy noted that promoting dance as an empowerment tool aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals of youth development and economic diversification.
She urged government agencies and private organisations to contribute to national development by investing in dance, which she believes would help position the country as Africa’s most creative economy.
She encouraged the public to visit her websites: www.iamkaffy.com and www.kaffykreativeagency.com for more information.
