The Abia State Government says it is building a sustainable ecosystem that will enable young people, particularly students, to discover, develop and maximise their talents in arts, culture and other professional fields.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Dr Mathew Ekwuruibe, stated this during the Second Edition of the Talent Hunt Competition for Abia Students, where he reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to identifying, nurturing and empowering young talents across the state.
Dr Ekwuruibe said the administration would continue to support initiatives that provide platforms for young people to showcase their abilities, particularly students with talents in the creative industry.
He encouraged the participants to remain consistent and dedicated to developing their talents alongside their academic pursuits, stressing that creativity could become a viable pathway to personal growth and economic empowerment.
The Commissioner specifically urged young people involved in creative fields such as music, visual arts, craft, moulding and other forms of artistic expression to take their talents seriously and explore opportunities available to them.
According to him, the Governor of Abia State, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, through the Ministry and other relevant stakeholders, is committed to ensuring that talented young people in the state are not neglected.
Dr Ekwuruibe urged the students to make the most of the opportunities provided by the State Government, noting that their talents could contribute significantly to the growth of Abia’s creative economy.
In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Mathilda Anyanele, commended the participating schools for taking part in the competition.
She encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity to showcase their talents, noting that creativity remains an important quality that distinguishes individuals and opens doors to new opportunities.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on National Assembly Matters, Mr Emenike Vincent-Onyembi, and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mrs Chibuzor Ehiemere, commended Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for what they described as his administration’s commitment to promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Abia State.
They encouraged the participating schools and students to sustain the momentum and continue developing their talents beyond the competition.
The event featured a variety of artistic and cultural presentations by representatives of participating schools, providing the students with an opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and abilities.
The competition ended with the presentation of prizes, certificates and awards to outstanding participants and winning schools, in recognition of their performances.
The Talent Hunt Competition is part of efforts to provide Abia students with platforms to discover their creative potential while encouraging the development of talents that can contribute to the state’s emerging creative economy.
