By Olawale Olaniyan

Copyright tribuneonlineng

OYO State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, has said the state government would continue to support the younger ones to discover their hidden talents, adding that through arts, the state can be put on the global creativity map.

Dr Olatunbosun, therefore, urged parents to stop forcing courses or professions on their children, emphasising that it always has negative implications.

‎The commissioner, who was represented by Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the ministry, Mr. Akinola Olatunde, stated this on Friday during an art exhibition organised by Hardukeh Creative Art in Ibadan.

He urged participants to take advantage of the art programme to make their lives memorable, saying that “this is an avenue for you to display your talents to the world.”

He then assured the organisers of the state government’s support for future editions of the programme, noting that the initiative is in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s agenda to prepare youths ahead for the future.

‎”The initiative is a laudable one, the state government is passionate about the youth on how it will bring them onboard in line with their talents so that they will not be running after white collar jobs,” he said.

‎In his goodwill message, chairman of the event, Prince Tunde Odunlade, reiterated the importance of the government to be more committed to programmes that are making youths to be gainfully engaged.

‎”They are not on the street selling drugs, what they are doing is promises future for the, it says they can become independent and they can become dependable citizens that will carry the glory of our nation to stardom, so, if the government now wants to see it as the purpose of their existence, protection of lives and properties, lifting the country to a point where people refer to it as a good country, then it has to embrace art.”

‎Director, American Corner, Miss Karamat Ajala and Prince Adeyemi Adeyinka, also implored participants to maintain the confidence instilled in them, adding that everybody has his/her own unique style that differentiates him from others.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE