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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