…pledges to help them earn maximally from their talents, skills
UYO – As the world marks 2026 International Artist Day today, October 25, the 2027 Labour Party standardbearer for Uyo/Ibesikpo Asutan/Nsit Atai/Uruan Federal Constituency, Mr. Ikakke Bassey, has sent a message of solidarity to artists from his constituency, describing them as the heartbeat of the society.
In a goodwill message he personally signed and made available to journalists in Uyo on Sunday, Bassey said artists remain critical to cultural preservation and social development.
According to him, artists are “the soul of society, custodians of culture, history and conscience, whose creativity continues to shape identity and inspire generations.”
Bassey, who entitled his message “Celebrating The Creative Spirit of Uyo Federal Constituency,” expressed pride in the abundance of creative talents scattered across the four local government areas that constitute the federal constituency.
He stated: “Today, on International Artist Day, I join the world to celebrate all artists from Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Nsit Atai and Uruan. From painters in Uyo, sculptors in Ibesikpo, poets and writers in Nsit Atai, to dancers, drummers, actors and fashion designers in Uruan, you are the pride of our constituency. Your art tells our story, preserves our heritage and projects our future.”
The LP flagbearer pointed out that the global celebration, which is observed in honour of legendary artist, Pablo Picasso, underscores the fact that art is not just a pastime but a viable profession and a major contributor to economic growth.
Bassey lamented that despite being richly endowed with human capital in music, comedy, film, photography, craft, digital arts and other traditional art forms, beyond oil and land, many youths in the area have remained stranded due to absence of support systems.
His words: “I have met young people in my constituency who can draw, paint, carve, sing, weave, make films with their phones, but they have no platform, no funding, no training to turn that talent into income. This must change.”
The development expert, while saluting conventional artists, also extended his goodwill to other categories of gifted constituents, including mechanics, tailors, hairdressers, welders, bakers, tech innovators and agro-entrepreneurs who depend on their skills for survival.
He noted: “Whether you are an artist by brush, by voice, by craft, by tech or by hand, you are all gifted. My celebration today goes to every constituent who is using his God-given talent and acquired skill to make a living honestly.”
Bassey further used the occasion to restate his resolve to initiate programmes that would enable constituents to derive maximum economic value from their natural endowments if given the mandate in 2027.
He assured: “I am committed to pursuing legislation and empowerment programmes that create an ecosystem for talent to thrive. We will create a Constituency Creative Hub where artists can be trained, mentored and connected to markets. We will facilitate grants, equipment support, digital tools, and exhibition platforms for artists and artisans. We will push for inclusion of creative economy skills in empowerment schemes so that our people can earn, not just be entertainers.”
He explained that his blueprint, tagged Talent-to-Wealth Initiative, will feature annual talent festivals, art exhibitions, skills boot camps, business clinics for creatives, and a comprehensive database of talents from the constituency to connect them to national and international markets, including the African Continental Free Trade Area platform for creative goods.
“Our people are creative and industrious. What they need is not pity but platform, not handout but hand-holding to global markets. My representation will ensure that a young artist in Afaha Ibesikpo or Mbiaya Uruan can live decently from his art, just like his counterpart anywhere in the world,” Bassey said.
He congratulated artists on their special day and charged them to keep deploying their creativity to promote peace, unity and the rich Ibibio cultural heritage.
“Keep creating. Keep inspiring. Uyo Federal Constituency is proud of you,” he concluded.
