Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has appointed popular Nigerian musician, Sunday Adeniyi, popularly known as “King Sunny Ade” as an ambassador of the National re-orientation programme, “Change Begins With Me.”
Speaking when he received the music maestro in his office in Abuja, the Minister described King Sunny Ade as an icon and a trail blazer, who has reigned in the music industry for over 50 years without blemish.
“We are looking for people like you that the younger ones can look up to,” Mohammed told Sunny Ade.
“It’s not just that you have been around for fifty years but you have been around for fifty years without any single stain on your part and that is very hard.
“Most people like you would have had one issue or the other that today their integrity would be at stake. Your integrity is as strong if not stronger than when you started.
“So it would be a pleasure if you can accept to be our Ambassador of the “Change Begins With Me.”
Mohammed said that the music legend is a perfect role model for the younger generation of Nigerians, which is the very objective of there orientation campaign.
“I want the younger ones to look at you and see that one can actually get to the top without cutting corners.
“That is exactly what you have done. You have never cut corners and you have gotten to the top,” Mohammed said.
The Minister said that current administration is paying more attention to the development of the entertainment industry because of its vast potential to generate employment and create wealth.
He promised that his ministry is seeking ways to tackle the issue of piracy and theft of intellectual property, a menace that has plagued the industry for a long time.
Sunny Ade, while accepting the challenge, noted that he had always strived to portray Nigeria in good light wherever he found himself, adding that he would continue to do so.
“You don’t need to say much. This is what I love to do and it has been in me. We are ready to do that officially throughout the whole world,” he said.
Sunny Ade thanked the Minister for the passion he has demonstrated at moving the entertainment industry to greater heights, especially in organising the artistes to achieve their potentials and contribute to nation-building.