Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting creativity among youths in the State to ensure their talents find expression and translate into economic advancement.
Governor Eno gave the assurance while speaking at the maiden edition of The Visual Conference (TVC), in Uyo, an initiative to mark the 2024 World Photography Day and aimed at enhancing the capacity of upcoming and thriving photographers, as well as other creatives in the State to compete favourably on the global stage.
Describing the initiative as a departure from the usual, the Governor lauded the creativity and resilience of his Chief Photographer, Idara Adiakpan, for taking the initiative to chart a course for photography as an industry in the state and recommended that such events be included in the State’s tourism calendar.
The State Chief Executive advocated for the creation of a photo library that would serve as a worthy repository of historical moments.
The Governor who is widely applauded for his laudable disposition towards the youths, tasked youths in other creative sectors to endeavour to constitute themselves into purposeful groups and develop ideas that would add value to the state.
“We are here tonight to support creativity, an idea, and to encourage someone who has taken a bold step to take the risk to put something together.
“We are here, not just to encourage Idara, but to encourage creativity, to encourage our young people, our youths that want their ideas to find expression no matter how small, to encourage her zeal and resilience,” he said.
The Governor appreciated Adiakpan for her commitment and dedication to duty and for always looking out for her constituency saying, “coming here today, is to encourage you to keep on doing what you are doing, and to encourage every young Akwa Ibomite that their talents can find expression in our dear state.
“I was at the exhibition gallery and have seen all of the works, all of them done by Akwa Ibomites. I even asked if some of what I saw were paintings, but I was told they were works of photography. I am very impressed.
“You all are now giving photography a new definition, and you are now people to be reckoned with. Many Chief Executives will now think of having personal photographers who can tell their stories.
“For our youths, we are here for you. We want to make sure that we walk with you and encourage you. If it is difficult to approach us as a person, work as a group, because it’s easier to reach us as a group. In fact, the future belongs to you.
“This is a government that is open, and we’re prepared to work with our youths to make their ideas and talents find expression,” he added.
The Chief Photographer to the Governor and host of the event, Adiakpan, in her welcome speech, expressed appreciation to the Governor for the opportunity and support to function and promote creative photography in the State as part of his administration’s ARISE Agenda.
She particularly appreciated the Governor for supporting the event, which, according to her, attracted some of Nigeria’s best minds in the visual art industry.
According to Miss Adiakpan, TVC is an initiative targeted at enabling and elevating the minds of 10, 000 upcoming and thriving indigenous photographers and creatives in Akwa Ibom State by equipping, promoting and giving visibility to their works.
She urged her colleagues in the state to key into the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno’s administration while deploying their power of creativity to explore the limitless opportunities in the international marketplace.
