Lagos State Government, in partnership with EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA), has produced another set of 132 young and vibrant filmmakers to fill the skill gaps of professionals in film industry.
The state government disclosed that the Nigerian creative industry was becoming the live wire of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and charged prospective film-making graduates to take advantage of the state’s N1 billion creative industry fund to project the state and Nigeria positively to the world.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Bonu Solomon, stated this at the ELCA graduation ceremony of November 2021 trainees class in cinematography, film production, editing, acting, directing, among others, held at Ebonylife Place, Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said the state would support upcoming youths who want to venture into film-making with the N1 billion Lagos State Creative Industry (LACI) initiative fund.
ALSO, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos, Mrs. Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, commended ElCA and urged the graduating students to leverage their choice and make their ideas become reality.
She further challenged the trainees to justify the huge investment of the state government and encourage sponsoring the training of more beneficiaries.
Head of School, Mr. Theart Korsten, in his remarks, commended Lagos State government for the free training and N1 billion fund through LACI.
Adebayo Oloko, who was awarded best actor, commended the state government and Ebonylife for the opportunity given to him in bringing out the best in him.
“I am humbled, feel blessed and I mean it is only because we have many creative guys and many wonderful actors. Getting this is just an honour that I don’t take for granted. So, if you’re blessed, of course I’ll say thank you for giving me this platform because I don’t know where I’ll be without this platform. It also encouraged me to even keep up the good work,” he said.