Mr Oluwabiyi Boyede, Founder, Alimosho Arts Community, on Tuesday urged government at the grassroots level to work on grooming community-based arts and theatre to engage Nigerian youths meaningfully.
Boyede made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said the growth of community-based theatre and arts must be priotised as this was a veritable tool through which crime rate could be curbed in the country.
He noted that in each local government area or ward across the federation, there ought to be one or two arts and theatre platforms which would groom the youths in that field.
According to him, this will help the youths to be creative while they become self-employed even in the area of arts.
“We need every community in the country to engage their youths in the area of arts.
“This can be done when each local government chairman creates community-based theatre and arts platforms through which the youths can be engaged meaningfully,” he said.
Boyede noted that his new project, “Alimosho Art Community”, was created to improve the well-being of the people of Alimosho in Lagos state, through arts and to improve the youth’s self-worth and self-esteem.
“We are out to increase and promote civic pride; reduce fear of difference; promote the love for tradition and culture; increase meaningful contact between communities and masquerades; as well as promote corporate engagement,” he said.
According to him, Alimosho community had been observed to be lagging behind in the promotion of the community’s art, which is rich in drumming, music and masquerading.
He said Alimosho was highly popularised by the Aworis whose songs were barely heard.
He added that his platform would be showcasing the culture of the Alimosho environs generally to the globe.
“We are looking at building a drum and masquerade house for the Alimosho arts community, for the youths to explore. Alimosho is known as the hub for the creatives.
“By Dec. 29th to 31st, 2022. we will be organising Alimosho cultural festival where we will be creating platforms for those who have passion in visual and performing arts, along with other specific areas to showcase their talents to the world.
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“This should be replicated in each local government so that the youths are carried along in arts development,” he said.
Artiste seeks community-based arts development to engage youths
