Culture minister urges artistes to emulate Essien-Igbokwe

Chief Duke gave this charge, last Tuesday, in Abuja when the burial committee of the late Lady of Songs, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, paid him a visit in his office. The minister charged the burial committee not to allow the grief and disappointment of the past to create challenges and difficulties for the art industry to collectively […]

Chief Duke gave this charge, last Tuesday, in Abuja when the burial committee of the late Lady of Songs, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, paid him a visit in his office.

The minister charged the burial committee not to allow the grief and disappointment of the past to create challenges and difficulties for the art industry to collectively approach the future with hope for the actualization of our heroes past.

He called on the art industry in its entirety that the period of transformation has come for the industry to aggregate its assets in human and creative forms to forge ahead meaningfully. “We must collate all our talents and efforts individually as creative minds, entertainers and artistes to find a voice that reverberates across Nigeria and the world”, the minister said.

Chief Duke assured that the Ministry would be a credible partner in the burial of the late musician, adding that the troupes in the ministry and the various Parastatals would be rallied together to stand up for its own.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Chairman of the Burial Committee, Dr. Austin Izagbo had said Christy Essien-Igbokwe was an ambassador of tourism and culture for this nation, and a renowned icon. “She was an artiste per excellence, a trail blazer who lived very short but eventful life.”

He said all Artistes have decided to celebrate her life because she left a foot print on the sands of time.

Dr. Izagbo said the Committee was on the visit to crave the partnership of the Ministry in the burial.

It would be recalled that Christy  Essien-Igbokwe  died in Lagos on June 30, 2011 at the age of 50.