The government of Bayelsa State has asked the Ministry of Culture and Ijaw National Affairs and the Council for Arts and Culture to develop a cultural calendar for the hosting of monthly cultural shows as well as an annual cultural carnival in the state.
Governor Seriake Dickson gave the mandate to the agencies on Friday at a state dinner held in honour of the state Council of Arts and Culture for emerging the overall winner at the just concluded 29th National Festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
At the dinner held at the Diepreye Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, the governor congratulated the Council for their meritorious outing, noting that, tourism, arts and culture would be major revenue earners for the state, in the nearest future.
“The government will continue to honour and reward those who go for gold in representing the state. You are champions of culture. Henceforth, you will participate in all annual festivals including that of Abuja,” he said.
Governor Dickson further urged the Council to generate revenue and remit a certain percentage to the state government coffers and also announced that the government would provide a monthly subvention to enable the council function optimally.
The governor disclosed that his administration had spent close to 50 billion Naira on the international airport and other facilities, as a deliberate policy to boost infrastructural development to attract foreign investments towards shoring up the state’s revenue profile.
“We have already spent close to 50 billion Naira on our international airport and other facilities within the project site.”
Governor Dickson, then announced the elevation Mrs Payeboye Festus Lukor, from an acting capacity to the substantive Director of the Council for Arts and Culture, describing the staff of the council, as champions of culture.