The Federal Government on Sunday night unveiled plans to
support talented youths in the arts sector with N300 million start-up loans.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai
Mohammed, made the disclosure at the “Spoken Words Open All White Finale’’, a
poetry and music platform to encourage talents that held at Onikan, Lagos.
Mohammed said that poetry and music performances showed
creativity that the government was willing to support.
“We have succeeded in securing a N300 million loan from the
Bank of Industry to support young talents in the arts sector.
“Very soon, we are going to make available information to
Nigerians how to access these funds.
“These loans are for start-ups to support young artists in
the creative industry.
“Spoken word is a form of poetry and a lot of talents have
been displayed here tonight,’’ he said.
According to the minister, the lead poet, Mrs Titilope
Williams, is one of the hidden exponents of “Spoken Word’’, a form of poetry in
Nigeria.
He said that he had monitored her works for four years and
commended her ability to capture some special issues, both social and
political, intelligently.
“This is what makes this country what it is; as an abode of
abundant talents and creativity and we must, as a government, try to support
it.’’
Reflecting on one of the poems, “Who am I?,” the minister
commended the sequence of the narrative that captured the efforts of black
women and the prominence of African civilisation.
“She has been able to invoke in us, things to be proud of
our qualities.’’
According to the minister, it takes an intelligent and
gifted person to be able to do this.
Mohammed also commended other artists, who did various
songs, assuring them that their talents would attract support from the
government.
Williams, the lead performer during her displays, said that
being open was an opportunity to diffuse negative energies that could lead to
frustration.
“I realised that people feel afraid, a lot of them are
anxious and I am here to help them find direction through the spoken word,’’
she said.
She explained that the second edition of the event was
possible because of the support of youths who needed an opportunity to express
themselves.
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