Yenagoa—Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has supported the call made by its members to the Bayelsa state government to patronize local artistes in the state.
Some Bayelsan artistes including those under the auspices of the Ijaw Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria (IGMAN) had in a statement called out the Douye Diri led-administration for an alleged exclusion and neglect during the 2021 edition of the state annual thanksgiving held on November 2nd.
They had complained about a lack of patronage by the state government, stressing that the move to invite popular musician, Sinach, was a waste of scarce state resources.
The governor of the state chapter of the organization, Prince Perez Ogbogbo in a statement commended the artistes in the state in the way and manner they made their displeasure known to the state government.
He said they must continue in the path of peace and dialogue in their engagement with the state government.
Prince Ogbogbo stressed that although the state government has been involved in the promotion of local talents particularly in sports and other sectors, the same cannot be said of the music industry.
According to him, the engagement of local artistes will promote the local content base, with an additional impact on the socio-economic development in the state, assisting thousands of families.
He called for a partnership between the PMAN and the state government to empower and develop local artistes in the state, adding that, that way the tourist sector and local economy of the state will be positively impacted.
”To prove our point, there are abundant talents in the state and it is shown in the victories and laurels achieved within and outside of Bayelsa state by Bayelsan artistes.
“Like what Gov. Douye Diri is doing in the sports sector with local talents, the musical artistes based in the state are capable to contribute and bring laurels for the state,” he said.
He however commended the State governor for his achievements in the last two years of his administration.