He said the government prioritises youth development, thereby investing in projects that create opportunities for them to explore, experiment, and express themselves freely.
The governor stated this at the Kwara Books and Arts Festival, an event designed to celebrate creativity, innovation, and the boundless potential of youths in the state.
“At the heart of our administration’s vision lies a steadfast commitment to empowering our youths, nurturing their talents, and equipping them with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in an ever-changing world,” the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, said.
“Today, I am honoured to share with you some of the initiatives and projects that we have undertaken to realise this vision and unlock the full potential of our youths. First and foremost, we recognise that creativity knows no bounds, and our youths are the torchbearers of innovation and imagination.
“That is why we have invested in initiatives such as the Visual Arts Centre, the Ilorin Innovation Hub, the Film Factory, and the Garment Factory—spaces where young minds can explore, experiment, and express themselves freely.
“These hubs of creativity not only provide avenues for artistic expression but also serve as incubators for entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic growth,” a statement on Saturday signed by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Ahmed Oredunni, quoted the governor as saying.
AbdulRazaq, who described literacy as a foundation for all other forms of learning, said the launch of the technology-based KwaraLEARN by his government was to revolutionise learning and literacy development in the state.
“By harnessing the power of technology, we are breaking down barriers to education, expanding access to quality learning resources, and empowering our youths to unlock their full potential,” he said.
The governor also said that the government was keen to promote and preserve cultural identity through initiatives that celebrate diversity, foster cultural exchange, and promote social cohesion, adding “culture is the lifeblood of our communities”.
The Director of KWABAFEST, Abdulbasit Hossein, said the programme was organized to tell the original story of the state and to serve as a platform to host and nurture future voicers in Nigerian literature.
He said Kwara was at the forefront of the arts, creativity, and filmmaking, and deserves to be projected well to the larger society.
“We realised that the state is not seen as a harbor of creatives, and it is important for us to put in place things like this. People often go to Lagos or Abuja for any kind of support in the creative industry. But why not Kwara, which has the largest waterfall in the whole of Africa? This is a state that has produced many names in terms of art, creativity, and filmmaking, yet it is being sidelined,” he said.
