Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has called on Niger Delta youths to use their talents to develop the region. Speaking on Thursday when he received the international award winning Port Harcourt Male Ensemble at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike said that positive contributions of youths were vital to the revival of the fortunes of the Niger Delta.
He said that the Port Harcourt Male Ensemble by their exploits have proved that youths could channel their energies to useful purposes outside of violence.
He said: “I feel so happy and delighted that we still have young men who have not wasted their youth on vices.
“Youths should emulate the Port Harcourt Male Ensemble, which has promoted the Niger Delta and Nigeria at international competitions. We will support the group to further promote the region”.
The governor charged the members of the Port Harcourt Male Ensemble to always serve as agents of positive change, who challenge other youths to embrace a positive lifestyle.
He approved the group as the official choir of the Rivers State Government House, adding that they will perform in all forthcoming events in the state.
The governor also approved the release of a coaster bus to ease the movement of the group to perform across the country.
Wike assured the group that his administration would support them in hosting the music festival in March 2017.
Besides, the director of the Port Harcourt Male Ensemble, Mr. Bob Amuye, had said the all-male group was formed to reach out to the world through music ministrations.
He stressed that the group has been using music as a tool for the promotion of peace, unity and youthful contribution to societal development.
He urged the governor to appoint the group as the official mass choir of the Rivers State Government House, stressing that the group plans a major international music festival in March 2017.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of an award of excellence to Wike by the group.
The Port Harcourt Male Ensemble is the winner of the Commonwealth Community Choir Award for 2015/2016.