By Emmanuel Okonkwo
It was a harvest of hidden and untapped creative talents in Awka, Anambra State, as Street Project Foundation, a platform dedicated to discovering and nurturing young creative talents in Nigeria, launched the “Artvocacy Movement” in the state.
Speaking at the event held at the Uche Ekwunife Event Centre, Awka, the Founder and Lead Visionary of Street Project Foundation, Mrs. Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, revealed that the activation of the Anambra chapter of the movement marks the sixth in Nigeria, adding to the existing chapters in Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abeokuta.
According to her, the foundation aims at eventually covering the entire country with a goal of raising one million youths in the creative industry who will be empowered to use their talents in music, dance, drama, visual arts, and more, to advocate for social justice and constructively engage policymakers, community leaders, and government institutions for positive societal transformation.
On his part, the Program Director of the Foundation, Mr. Ezenwa Okoro, a Mandela Washington Fellow and Global Connector, called on government agencies, policymakers, and community leaders to partner with the foundation in taking the project to grassroots level, emphasizing the need to harness creative talents in underserved areas as a way to address socio-economic challenges and reduce youth restiveness.
Mr. Okoro also encouraged talented young Nigerians especially Ndi Anambra to join the movement by connecting with Street Project Foundation on its social media platforms, “Artvocacy”, and “Street Project Foundation”, to develop their talents and amplify their voices.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Transport, Mr. Michael Obiekwe, commended the foundation for the initiative, which he said aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts in youth empowerment, and urged the youths to take advantage of their god-given talents and also key into the various free digital and non-digital skills training opportunities provided by the Soludo administration.
The highlight of the event was a theatrical performance titled “Mad Thoughts”, created and performed by the 26 young talents trained by the Street Project Foundation during the four-week intensive program in movement building, advocacy, music, theatre, and dance.