Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, has charged players in the Nigerian creative space to step in the gap and re-tell the story of Nigeria and Africa, especially in the light of her abundant opportunities, richness in human and intellectual capacities as well as multiplicity of natural resources.
She made the call on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at the J. F. Ade. Ajayi (Main) Auditorium of the university, venue of the Graduation and Showcase Ceremony for the cohort 1 (one) of the Creative Training Programme organized by the University of Lagos Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) in collaboration with the Temple Management Company and Henley Business School.
Prof. Ogunsola expressed dismay over the persistent portrayal of Nigeria and Africa in bad light, thereby undermining the duo’s growth, developmental strides and rising impact in the global space.
She congratulated the 200 participants churned out as Class 2022 of the GIDI Creative Centre, describing them as change agents whose ingenuity is needed in re-shaping the African perspective.
While cautioning Nigerian creatives against fuelling the preponderance of negative stories about the country and the continent, Prof. Ogunsola charged the newly trained creatives to deploy their newly acquired knowledge into painting Nigeria and Africa as a prosperous continent rather than the gloomy, deserted, undeveloped, crude and derogatory perspectives that floods the media.
There were remarks by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka who lauded the vision of the University of Lagos through the Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC), management of Temple Management Company led by Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe, the Henley Business School and other partners which birthed the GIDI Creative Training Programme.
The Commissioner who also presented the goodwill remarks of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated the Cohort 1 participants for their passion, determination, resilience, commitment, accomplishment and artistic triumph.
She described the programme as one which further accentuates Gov. Sanwo-Olu’s commitment towards creating, supporting and enhancing a more fertile, progressive and innovative creative atmosphere in Lagos, hence the active involvement of both the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture as well as Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI).
Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka passed a vote of confidence in the capacity of the newly trained creative minds to serve as a vanguard of skilled hands who would reposition the Lagos Creative Hub for greater impact.
There were remarks from the Director, Entrepreneurship and Skills Development Centre (ESDC) of the University of Lagos, Professor Sunday Adebisi and representatives of the Henley Business School. They all described the journey of the GIDI Creative Training Programme as one conceived to develop capacity and bridge the knowledge and skills gap in the creative economy.
Highpoint of the well-attended ceremony was the conferral of certificates to the participants by the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka who was flanked by the Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola OON, FAS, Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Oluwatoyin Atekoja among other dignitaries.
Nigerian Singer and songwriter, Balogun Afolabi Oluwaloseyi popularly known as Seyi Vibes was also on ground to treat the audience to a special performance.
The GIDI Creative Centre (Temple Company) in partnership with ESDC UNILAG, Henley Business School and the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI) had embarked on an intensive training for 200 (two hundred) youths in Lagos State (including students of UNILAG).
An Orientation training programme was held in UNILAG from Tuesday, October 4, 2022 to Saturday, October 8, 2022. Thereafter, the participants proceeded to the business premises of the Temple Company and other partners for a 3-month Hands-on internship. They were also trained in employability skills for the workplace and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Areas covered during the training included Film Making, Graphic design, Fashion design, Animation, Media Studies, Creative Writing, Multimedia/Digital Media, Audio Engineering and Sound Production, Production Design and Project Management.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and the Founder/Group Chief Executive, The Temple Company, Mr. Idris Olorunnimbe were earlier at the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for a courtesy visit.
