Anambra Empowers Sculptors 

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has empowered sculptors with a promise to initiate more programmes to engage youths to extract the best in them.

The governor who carried out the empowerment scheme at the Kenneth Dike Library Awka at the weekend during an art exhibition organized by the Ministry of Youth Enterpreneurship and Creative Economy in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Tourism, Diaspora Affairs and Indigenous Artworks, said the state recorded lowest crime rate in the country because youths were meaningfully engaged and empowered for self-sustenance.

The governor who was represented by the commissioner for environment Arch. Michael Okonkwo disclosed further that the state was about to create an innovation centre. He said that in the innovation centre government would find, develop as well as help people who have talents in technology and the like to develop and contribute to the development of the entire state.

The state commissioner for Youth Enterpreneurship and Creative Economy Hon. Bonaventure Enemali said the art exhibition was the maiden edition and first of its kind in Anambra state pointing out that the whole idea was to provide a veritable platform for youths to deploy their talents and natural proclivity meaningfully.

Enemali said about 30 sculptors from various universities across the country participated in the art exhibition but the first five best art works were carefully selected for state recoginition and awards.

The youth commissioner however tasked youngsters to discover and develop their natural potentials as his ministry would always provide the avenue for them to reach their zenith in their respective careers adding that the arts exhibition would henceforth be an annual event.

Also in her remarks, commissioner for culture, tourism, diaspora affairs and indigenous art works Barr. Sally Mbanefo said the essence of the art exhibition was to start with the youths in line with the governor’s disposition on youth development.

She also stated that the programme aimed at showcasing successful manifestations of government projects for youths in Anambra state pointing out that a lot of programmes exist for the empowerment of youths and women.

Chief Youth Development Officer in the ministry of youth entrepreneurship and creative economy Mrs. Chito Osili said the governor has beautified Anambra state and also empowered youths to bring out the best in them which according to her was the mainstay of the art exhibition.

Osili said apart from the art exhibition, the ministry of youth entrepreneurship and creative economy has done skill acquisitions and other life-changing programmes for people in the state emphasising that more activities would be carried out before the end of the year to empower more people.

On the other hand, winner of the first position in the art exhibition Collins Asiegbu thanked Governor Willie Obiano for providing an enabling environment for youths to deploy their talents meaningful noting that the recognition accorded him by the Anambra state government was ground-breaking for him.