The Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Kate Omenugha says the State Government will continue to partner groups that will encourage the development of the art of writing and other creative works in schools.

Professor Omenugha explained that creating an enabling environment for young people in schools to express their inner potentials through art and writing is a priority of the State Government and that such positive engagement will help reduce the level of social vices among young people today.

She was sharing this policy thrust at the Third Edition of the Young Authors Conference held in Awka with the support of Aurick Foundation and other media partners including the Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS.

The Commissioner who received an award for her numerous innovative policies to drive the education sector to higher heights in the State at the event was represented by the Public Relations officer of the Ministry, Mr Nnaemeka Egwuonwu, describing the conference as complementary to thhe state government’s efforts at developing the creative sector.

According to her, some of the programmes already put in place to drive the culture of reading and wet the appettite of students in the state to writing include the ongoing plans to set up a literary and debating hub, exposing the children to role models in writing such as the renowned author of “The Bottled Leopard” Professor Chukwuemeka Ike who is the traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, the recently concluded Governor’s Debate Championship among many others.

Mr Micheal Ike, the President of Aurick Foundation and host of the event, in his speech explained that the Conference themed “Africa And The World: Bridging the Gap through Literature And knowledge Sharing”, was to serve as a platform for young and budding authors to share experiences, network, and explore new opportunities to get their works published will also enable them to learn from themselves and develop better in the art of writing.

A speaker at the event, a young American , Kalen Doleman who shared his experiences when he began writing said his focus was to build a new consciousness for younger people to understand they could make greater changes in their societies and mindsets through writing while Jerry Chiemeke who spoke on the topic: ” African Writers, Pushing Voices and Getting Your Voices Heard” also harped on the need for writers to identify the needs of their audience and satisfy those tastes through their writing.

The event which placed emphasis on sharing the African story to the outer word also featured renditions and drama by secondary school students, and movie premiere on the African experience, challenges, and proferred solutions for a better future.

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