….celebrates artists, others on World International Artist Day
By Rose Ekan
UYO – The 2027 Labour Party Candidate for Uyo / Ibesikpo Asutan / Nsit Atai / Uruan Federal Constituency, Mr. Ikakke Bassey, has felicitated with artists of his constituency extraction on the occasion of the 2026 World International Artist Day, celebrated globally today, October 25.
In a goodwill message made available to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday, Bassey described artists as the soul of society, custodians of culture, history and conscience, whose creativity continues to shape identity and inspire generations.
Bassey, in his message titled “Celebrating The Creative Spirit of Uyo Federal Constituency,” said he was proud to associate with the vast pool of talents domiciled across the four local government areas that make up the federal constituency.
“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,” Bassey said.
He noted that International Artist Day, which coincides with the birthday of legendary artist, Pablo Picasso, is a reminder that creativity is a legitimate profession and a powerful economic force, not a mere hobby.
According to him, the federal constituency is blessed beyond oil and land, with extraordinary human capital in creative arts, music, comedy, film, photography, craft, digital arts and traditional arts, but many of the talents remain untapped, unsupported and unrewarded due to lack of enabling structures.
“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,” he said.
Bassey extended his felicitation beyond conventional artists to all constituents with different kinds of talents and acquired skills, including artisans, mechanics, hairdressers, tailors, welders, bakers, tech innovators and agricultural entrepreneurs.
“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,” the development expert added.
He used the occasion to reiterate his commitment to providing enabling programmes that will allow talents in the constituency to benefit and earn a living maximally from their creativity if elected to represent them in the National Assembly.
“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,” Bassey assured.
He said his proposed Talent-to-Wealth Initiative will include annual talent festivals, art exhibitions, skills boot camps, business clinics for creatives, and a database of talents from the federal constituency to link them to national and international opportunities, including the African Continental Free Trade Area market 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,” he said.
Bassey congratulated all artists on their day and urged them to continue to use their art to promote peace, unity, hard work and the rich cultural values of the Ibibio nation, assuring them that their contributions will never be taken for granted.
“Keep creating. Keep inspiring. Uyo Federal Constituency is proud of you,” he concluded.