Zanzibar — THE Vice-President, Mohammad Gharib Bilal, on Friday night appealed to youths to work hard in developing their talent in music because "it is now a reliable employment."

Addressing at the '15th Zanzibar Music Award' organized by the Media Corporation (ZMC), Dr Bilal said that the annual music awards have successfully attracted talented youths to the requirements of technology and new media.

"We need to understand art is a big industry, and fortunately we are heading to ease communication should the ongoing fibre optic project succeed," the vice-president said at the well attended annual event held at Bwawani Hotel in Zanzibar.

He said over the years, these awards have recognized excellence, propelled new and unknown talent to national and international publicity and provide encouragement to them.

Bilal said also that awards provide an opportunity to salute retired artists, as he shortly handed over taarab music award to the renowned retired singer, Ms Mwanacha Hassan Kijore (65).

Music fans joined by several leaders from the government including the Minister of State-Union Affairs, Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mahadhi Juma Maalim, also witnessed more than 10 young singers winning the awards.