The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun has said that the rebranded performing troupe of the state’s Council for Arts and Culture is aim at promoting the cultural heritage, norms and values towards projecting the state positively.
The Commissioner stated this at auditions held for the new artistes in order to expand and rebrand the state performing troupe.
The audition took place at the open space of the Cultural Centre, Mokola Ibadan.
Olatubosun charged the participants on sacrificial resilience and unwavering determination to work with the visionary structure of the ministry.
He further urged them to see the phase as an avenue to contribute meaningfully towards the progressive drive of culture and tourism development in the state; asserting that outstanding performances will surely be a source of revenue generation through public acceptability and recognition.
In her remarks, the General Manager, Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Olayinka Adedeji, admonished the participants to be good ambassadors of the Council and project the image of the state and bring their expertise to bear should they be successful at the auditions.
Youths and young adults turned out in their numbers for the auditions to display their talents ranging from praise poetry to oral poetry known as ‘Esa’ and ‘Ijala’ respectively
Others displayed singing, chanting, drumming and dancing skills.
Other special features included artistic musical performances, acrobatic display, dance drama, theatrical mimes and cross-cultural music presentation.
Panelists drawn from the Creative Industry conducted the auditions and chose the best candidates.
The panelists were Oriyomi Duro-Ladipo, Biodun Adekanmbi, Christopher Abdul Onibasa and some directors of the ministry.
The audition was birthed by a nine-member committee comprising directors of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Oyo State Council for Arts and Culture as well as Creative Artists, chaired by Mr. Adekunle Agboola.
