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GVs President and party forward and greeted (3 shots)
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GV Crowd
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GV Officials applauding
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SV President speaks
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SV People listen
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SV President applauded
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CU Plaque
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SV President cementing foundation stone, followed by Minister of Public Works and High Commissioner Agbo (3 shots)
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Initials BB/1114 MF/TB/BB/1130



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The interim President of Dahomey, M. Justin Ahomadegbe, officiated last Thursday (19 August) at the laying of the foundation stone for Abomey's new House of Culture. President Ahomadegbe underlined the programme for culture his government was introducing, saying that the new House of Culture was for the people, especially the youth. All too often, he said, the country's youth knew too little of their cultural heritage, even music and dancing.

SYNOPSIS: An enthusiastic welcome greeted the interim President of Dahomey when he arrived in Abomey last Thursday for the stone laying ceremony of new House of Culture. M. Justin Ahomadegbe, member of the Presidential Council, is performing the presidential functions in the absence of Hubert Maga.

President Ahomadegbe told the people that the simple ceremony was more than a matter of bricks and mortars. It reflected the programme for culture the government was now stressing. Man, he said, needs more than brad to live from, and the spread of culture in one of the most important task of a government. He commented on the lack of knowledge the youth of the country often displayed for their heritage, even musical and dancing. President Ahomadegbe said that the House of Culture was for them.

The stone, said the President, is one step towards the healthy future. The House of Culture is to be a centre of learning. To emphasise the importance for the youth of Abomey, the high Commissioner for Youth and Culture also took part in the ceremony.