The Edo State government has promised it would continue to support the development of creative talents and promote young artists in the state.
The Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Uyi Oduwa Malaka, disclosed this at the Benin Airport when she received the music artist, Crown Uzama, also known as Shallipopi, who is in the state for his homecoming music concert.
“When we receive our own back home in Benin, it doesn’t matter how big or small you are. The fact that you are from Edo State, you are celebrated. This is one of our very youngsters doing great things on the global scene and it is a delight for the State Government to receive him home,” the Commissioner said.
“I just found out that he hasn’t even been in Benin for the past two years. That is my excitement for us as a state. He is coming to perform and he is bringing the first concert to Benin, it is very exciting for us.
“This is what the State Government has been trying to achieve and it just shows that we are on the right path, getting more of our creatives to get visibility on a global scene. So, we are delighted, it is an exciting moment,” she said.
The Commissioner said the state government has been working with the artists or their producers “to make sure that whatever necessity they require to be able to come home and entertain, the highest level of security is in place”.
“The state government is always happy to provide such logistics and security and in most cases, the publicity and all of that. It is an endorsement; it is a quiet celebration at home. It doesn’t matter how big you are outside, if your home does not recognize you, then you are really not heating the button yet,” she said.
On his part, Shallipopi expressed appreciation to the Edo State Government for the wonderful reception and expressed his commitment to continue to make the state proud.
“I am very excited. This is my first home coming. I will stick to tradition so when I am performing I will show the traditional way of my lifestyle, the new way. I will keep doing what I do, in the nearest future I will do something great in my society,” he said.
