Artist urges govt. to boost arts, tourism to enhance youth employment

AN artist, Temitayo Otun, on Monday urged the three tiers of government to scale up arts, culture and tourism sectors through funding to enhance youth employment in the country.

“Arts is a major employer of labour anywhere in the world and it has the potential to safe Nigeria from its economic predicament’’.

Otun, also the CEO of Brush Strokes Art Studio (BSAS), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that government had yet to explore the sector’s revenue generating capacity.

He said that most times, Nigerian leaders were thinking about the oil sector alone and was paying lip service to the employment of youths.

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He said that the government should address the potential inherent in the art sector and help its practitioners to grow.

“Arts, culture, and tourism are high revenue generating sectors in many countries all over the world.

“Everyone will be better for it if unemployment is reduced and our government stops depending too much oil,’’ he said.

Otun also advised the government to promote indigenous artworks and artifacts among the international community to attract patronage.

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He also said the government should sensitize Nigerians on the need to appreciate artworks.

“Artworks are priceless; everything we use is a creativity of the people, house, household items, cars, clothes, and others and there is nothing one does without a variant of art in it.

“If the government can promote arts in schools and make funds available, talents will be easily harnessed and developed.

“We can develop our traditional music and showcase it to the outside world; it will sell well and boost our revenue.

“Several of our youths will always be employed,” he said.