Culture Minister Duke seeks training for creative youngsters

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Edem Duke, has stressed the need for government to galvanise resources to train young artistes in improving their creative abilities.

Mr. Duke said this in Calabar during the city's ongoing carnival.

He described the carnival as a platform to discover new and young artists.

He urged the people of Calabar to find in themselves their creative talents and showcase them to the world in order to better their lots; rather than wait on government to provide their needs.

"These dancers and drummers can win for us the future, bring resources to our families and glory to our state. We must establish a self-belief, believe in yourselves and believe that if you are such a good dancer or drummer. There is a future for you," he said.

Mr. Duke said that the establishment of the N2 billion creative academy in Akpabuyo Local Government by the state government was an indication of how important the industry was to the government.

He said that the government of Trinidad and Tobago had offered 10 scholarships to provide the people of Calabar opportunities to learn the creative arts of carnival.

Mr. Duke said that the scholarship would be available from next year. He also noted that the carnival had transformed from a street party into an economy.

(NAN)