Music is an Economic Powerhouse, SSA Tourism Tells NYSC Musical Band
Director General of the Ernest Ikoli Visitor Information Centre and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Bayelsa State Governor on Tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo has described music as an “economic power house”, adding that the music industry makes huge contributions to the cultural life of any society.
The Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Tourism stated this at the maiden edition of Christmas Carol organised by the Bayelsa State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Musical Band at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Yenagoa, saying that: “When you think of career in music, what may first come to your mind is the performing artistes on stage. But when you pull back the curtain, you will find people with an array of other jobs and careers that help to make performances on stage possible”.
“You have the people who coordinate and promote the music, the folks in the recording studios and on the soundboard, who make the musical act sound topnotch, the writers who compose and arrange the music, and much more. There’s more to a career in music than just performance on stage.
“Music involves one or many disciplines. The more versatile you are, the more opportunities you will have to work in the music business. Breaking into the music business is harder than other industries.
“Though the competition is high, but if you hone your craft and network with the right people, and put in efforts, you don’t have to be a performer to work in the music industry”, the SSA said.
Mr Kiyaramo who reiterated the commitment of the prosperity administration under Senator Douye Diri to community based tourism development, said Bayelsa remains the most peaceful state in the country, informing that Governor Douye Diri believes in encouraging budding talents to make them become self-reliant and useful to themselves and the society through wealth creation.
He said his office is willing to collaborate with credible organisations and individuals to promotion the creative industries with a view to stimulating the local economy through promotion of leisure experiences to drive domestic tourism in the state.
In her opening remark, Bayelsa State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mrs. Elizabeth Ojugo, represented by the Head of Community Develompment Service (CDS), Mrs. Ari Christy, commended the Corps members for putting together the maiden edition of the Christmas Carol, adding that her office will always encourage such initiatives.
She thanked the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo and his counterpart, the SSA to the governor on Ijaws in the Diaspora, Hon. Tunde Apanari for facilitating the programme.
“This is the first Christmas Carol we have witnessed in Bayelsa State, the NYSC Musical Band has done well to organize this wonderful maiden Christmas carol.
“I do hope that It won’t stop here, we will continue it next year and years to come. The band’s president and his team are doing well. I hereby on behalf of the State Coordinator declare this maiden Christmas Carol open in the name of the father, the Son and the holy spirit’, she said.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Ijaws in the Diaspora, Mr Tunde Apanari, who also doubles as patron of the NYSC Musical Band, said he was impressed with the performance and promised to assist the band to achieve greater heights.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, Comrade Samuel Numonengi, represented by his vice, Miss Judith Young, applauded the NYSC Musical Band for the excellent performance at the event and pledged his support.
On his part, president of the Musical Band, Nwadike Chinonso, expressed gratitude to God for the band to organize the maiden Christmas Carol, while appreciating the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo, the SSA to the governor on Ijaws in the Diaspora, Hon. Tunde Apanari and the state chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ), Comrade Samuel Numonengi for their support.
He appealed to the state government for financial support to enable the Band get some musical instruments, even as he applauded the Executive Assistant (EA) to the governor on NYSC Matters, the State NYSC Coordinator, Head of CDS, the Schedule Officer, the Corp members and well wishers of the NYSC Musical Band for the various roles they have played to make the event successful.
Highpoint of the Christmas Carol were various ministrations by the NYSC Musical Band and guest artistes who rendered special numbers.
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Music is an Economic Powerhouse, SSA Tourism Tells NYSC Musical Band
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include; the Zonal Inspector, Yenagoa, Mr. Cosmas Iruolor, Local Government Inspector, NYSC Ogbia LGA, Mr. Osas Michael, Chief Choir Master of Saint Matthias Catholic Church Choir, Amarata, Mr. Michael Igbudu, Head, CIM Branch NYSC Bayelsa, Dr. Iyamba Etim, Assistant, PRS, NYSC Bayela, Mrs. Caroline Igboka, CLO for Yenagoa, Erumi Gracious, NYSC Musical Band Schedule Officer, Mr. Akonte Samuel and NYSC Band Music Director, Bayelsa State, Daniel George.+
