The Governor Chukwuma Soludo-led government has set aside N2.5 billion for youth development in Anambra, said Don Onyeji, the commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Entertainment.

Mr Onyeji, speaking on Wednesday at the maiden Anambra entertainers “meet and greet”, said the government was determined to revamp and sustain the entertainment industry in the state,

The commissioner said that the essence of the event was to profile all entertainment practitioners; dancers, models, comedians, film markers, influencers, and hype men amongst others in the state.

He said that the move is to engage home-based youths who are good in the entertainment industry and to know their potentials for possible empowerment.

“Anambra has huge potential amongst its youths. These are untapped and we have resolved to create opportunities for them to advance positively and get the needed support to thrive in their passion,” he said.

The Commissioner said that the economy belongs to the youths, and explained that the governor has great value for youth development.

Mr Onyenji said that the government has various projects planned to make Anambra State conducive for entertainment and tourism.

The Commissioner said that the security challenge in the state is being handled by the Charles Soludo administration which is committed to tackling insecurity head on.

In his address to the participants, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Uchenna Okafor, noted that the government is bent on promoting talents, citing the proposed Leisure Park that will be built in the state soonest, as a good facility for the youths.

Mr Okafor also disclosed that the newly-created Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) FILM Village is part of what the government is doing to promote the film industry in the state.

In his contribution, Nonso Arinze, the representative of the Commissioner for Youth Development, urged the youths to key into the programmes and policies of the Anambra government.

Mr Arinze said that the government has set up many developmental projects for the youths and reminded them of the One Youth, Two Skills Programme aimed at making Anambra youth self-reliant.

He said if the youths are good in what they do, the state government will help propel them to greater heights.

Earlier in his remarks, the lead planner of the event, Chukwuemeka Nnaemezie, said the event was to promote the entertainment industry in Anambra State.

Mr Nnaemezie advised the youths to be conscious of their own actions and revealed that subsequent events will be done as the government is a very inclusive one.

The Managing Director of ABS, Chido Obidiegwu, assured the participants of the support of the station in projecting their activities to the public domain.

Mr Obidiegwu encouraged the youths not to be in a hurry to put out anything for public consumption but to have quality content that would be saleable.

Adaora Chukwudike, a film marker, commended the ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment for packaging the programme.

Ms Chukwudike appealed to the government to keep to their word by supporting young entertainment personnel in the state to come to limelight.

(NAN)