The 4th Niger State Inter-Schools Art Competition/Exhibition 2015, with the theme, “Our Arts, Our Culture, Our Wealth,” held recently at the UK Bello Arts Theatre Hall, Minna, Niger State; and it was an eye-opener as people saw the connection between Arts, Culture and Wealth.
Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director, Niger State Council for Arts and Culture, Alhaji Kabir Dan’Asabe expressed his gratitude and appreciated the Executive Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, for his commitment to promote the culture sector in the state, adding that the collaboration existing between the Niger State Arts Council and National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has been invaluable.
In her goodwill message, as the Special Guest of Honour, the Head, NICO Minna State Office, Mrs. Olufunke Ndukwe, said despite the fact that there are different perceptions about culture, it is central to a people, i.e., the youth, religious bodies and 
cultural practitioners.
She said that cultural industries have played a major role in fast-tracking the growth of rural economics in the country through the abundant array of craft industries that serve as adjuncts to farming, adding that cultural industries can thus be identified in concrete terms as an ensemble of sectors offering service outputs that focus on entertainment, edification and information.
Concluding, the State Head of NICO Minna emphasized on how the youth have affected the country in the face of globalization, advising that people should go back to their roots as this is the only way we can bring back the aesthetics embedded in our culture, which is the most important part for the country’s success.
The occasion closed with the presentation of certificates and prizes to students that did well in paintings.
Imomion Grace
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO Minna