Lagos State
Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday evening acknowledged the efforts of
exceptionally talented children and youths in contributing to the excellence
which the State is known for, saying they deserved to be commended and
celebrated.
Speaking at
a Special Evening of Arts held at Lagos House in Alausa, Ikeja to celebrate
Children’s Day, Lagos at 51 and the third anniversary of his administration,
Governor Ambode said it was gratifying that the frontline position of Lagos in
the area of performing arts was now globally acknowledged, and attributed the
recognition to the young ones who are doing the State proud with their
talents.
Describing
children in the State as the most cherished assets of his administration, the
Governor said any nation desirous of realizing its full potential could not
afford to toy with its youth, which according to him, was why deliberate
policies were put in place to support them to use their talents for the benefit
of the State.
“No nation
achieves its full potential without the human capital that the children and
youth represent. Our State as you know has the largest concentration of such
beautiful, brilliant set of children and youths anywhere in the black world.
Whether in education, in innovations, arts and literature or in sports, Lagos
excels because of the exceptional talents of our young ones.
“This is why
we have chosen to specially celebrate them this evening with one of the gifts
that the world now acknowledges the frontline position of our State –
performing arts. This of course is in line with our promise to make Tourism,
Hospitality, Entertainment and the Arts together with Sports the centrepiece of
our development agenda for the youths in our State,” Governor Ambode said.
He said it
was satisfying that the critical stakeholders in the sector appreciated the
efforts being made by his administration to nurture and grow the performing
arts industry, just as he assured that no efforts would be spared to sustain
the drive to place the State on a sound pedestal for growth and development via
the sector.
“In three years
of renewed vigour and commitment to the finer things of life like the Arts and
Culture, we are pleased with the fact that our critical stakeholders appreciate
our modest intervention and are encouraged to do more.
“This
evening we have chosen four of such stakeholders today not only for the
beautiful performance they have treated us with; but to also specially honour
them too for their contributions in uplifting the standard of performing arts
in our State, especially as it concerns children and the youth,” he said.
The Governor
specifically celebrated the parents and members of the youth groups which
performed at the event - The Dream Catchers, Dance Na The Main Thing (DNMT),
The Q Dance Company and Footprints of David, among others, just as he urged
them to keep up the good work.
“These
children mean so much to me and I love them all from the bottom of my heart. I
am and I reiterate once again committed to the upliftment of the culture and
the heritage of Lagos. I will do it with it with all my strength and I also
promise that I will keep the performing arts growing by investing in the
sector.
“Already, we
are in the process of having a Lagos Museum and we will do everything to create
the atmosphere that will allow these young ones to thrive and also become
additional celebrities that we want them to be,” the Governor said.
Earlier,
Governor Ambode performed the official kick-off of the finals of the Channels
International Kids Cup football competition held at Campos Mini Stadium, where
he rewarded the top four teams with N5million.
The winner,
LGEA Central Primary School received N2million; Baptist Primary School which
took second place was given N1.5million, while Emmanuel Anglican Primary School
in third place received N1million.
X-planter
Private School from Lagos in fourth position was also not left out as the
Governor rewarded them with a sum of N500,000.
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