By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), has reiterated its commitment to youth empowerment and cultural celebration, emphasising the significance of celebrating the region’s rich cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made the commitment at the inaugural Niger Delta Cultural Music Festival, known as NIDCUM Fest, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last weekend, describing the event as a convergence of culture, music and development.
The essence of the festival was to educate Niger Deltans about different cultures, broadening horizons, promoting cultural exchange, and fostering appreciation of the region’s diversity.
It provided a stage for the region’s untapped artistic talent and offered artists and groups an opportunity to showcase their creativity and potentially turn their dreams into reality.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer, who was represented by the Commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Mr. Pius Ughakpoteni, spoke on the theme: “Empowering Youth and Celebrating Culture.”
He said that NIDCUM Fest was more than just a cultural extravaganza, noting that it was a manifestation of NDDC’s unwavering commitment to the futire of the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC boss acknowledged the economic potential of cultural tourism and committed to boosting local economies by attracting tourists and generating revenue for businesses in the region.
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He said that it wasn’t just about music but also about creating a sustainable source of income for the communities.
He later pledge to support young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region through targeted skill development initiatives.
“It is a platform where our differences become a source of strength, and our unity is celebrated through the universal language of music. This sentiment underpins the festival’s core mission of fostering appreciation and understanding among the region’s diverse population.
“We recognize that empowering our young musicians is not only an investment in their future but also in the future of the Niger Delta,” he said
The NDDC boss also celebrated the transformative power of supporting cultural music talents, drawing inspiration from artists like Asu Ekiye, Burna Boy, and Yemi Alade, who had risen from the Niger Delta to achieve global recognition.
He also noted that these artists became employers, creating opportunities for others and shedding light on Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
Ogbuku said he envisioned a future where the talents of the Niger Delta’s cultural musicians will enrich the world’s cultural tapestry while uplifting the region and its people.
Earlier in his welcome address, the facilitator of NIDCUM Fest, Asu Ekiye, noted that, “NIDCUM is a platform where we, Niger Deltans, can celebrate our cultural heritage. It is also a crucial step in preserving and embracing the culture that has shaped us into who we are today as a people.”
The Creative Minds of Bayelsa State, a music and cultural group won the first prize of three million naira, while the Ekemini Theatre Troupe from Akwa Ibom State went home with two million naira for taking the second position. The third prize of one million went to ThankGod Enas Team, a cultural troupe from Delta State.
