A Nollywood actor and Special Adviser to the Kogi Governor on Arts and Tourism, Femi Adebayo, said on Monday that the empowerment of the youth was his goal in office. Adebayo in Lagos said that "we will create an enabling environment for the youths to thrive in whatever they want to do".

He said that lack of empowerment for the youth was why "we are experiencing a lot of vices in the country, as well as the absence of love for one another. "I will also promote arts and culture in my state, in line with whatever we plan to do for the youth.

"The youths need a lot of mentoring and re-orientation plus empowerment, for them to be able to stand on their own," he said. The special adviser on arts and tourism stressed that his office would be developed in such a way that it will help to generate enough Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for Kogi State and its people. He, however, said that actors going into government are also just on another call to service.

"It is a matter of serving and serving well, representing the people and doing the needful, to strive to better the lot of their people and make a mark. "As an artist, one is required do what is expected by helping and contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of the state.

"There is nothing wrong if you want to serve your people, regardless of who you are and It will make us campaign more about the arts, culture and tourism," he said.

Adebayo, 43, is an actor, film producer and a director. He hails from Ilorin, Kwara State but was born and raised in Lagos State. Adebayo graduated from the University of Ilorin with a Law degree and also studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan.

He is the son of Adebayo Salami, a veteran actor, popularly known as "Oga Bello". Adebayo has acted in Ayitale (2013), Apaadi (2009), Omo Pupa (2008), Ladies Gang (2011), Atona (2009) and many others. He was once nominated for the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor, in a supporting role. Adebayo has won other awards.