Lagos State Government has so far trained 3, 950 youths in film production from its sponsored training programme for young creative minds across the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Atekoja made the disclosure at the graduation ceremony for another set of creative trainees under a partnership initiative between Ebonylife Creative Academy and the Lagos State Government.
Atekoja, who was represented by the Director of Admin and Human Resource, Ms. Toyin Ogunlana at the graduation ceremony held at EbonyLife Place Victoria Island, informed that the 3,950 trainees were jointly trained by four creative academies namely Delyork Academy, AMA, Ogidi Creativesand EbonyLife Academy.
The Permanent Secretary affirmed that the impact of the training programme which was instituted under the present administration had been positive, judging by the testimonials of several beneficiaries that were past trainees under the Lagos Creative Industry Initiatives (LACI).
She informed the gathering that, in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the training programme will henceforth ensure a balance in the numbers of beneficiaries admitted into the various creative fields as trainees under the government sponsored training programme, stressing that equal opportunities and considerations would be given to gender equality.
She also added that a window of opportunity is now also open to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to benefit from the various capacity enhancement programmes being offered under the arrangement between Ebonylife and the Lagos State Government.
“The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is already working with Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs (LASODA) to incorporate this category of persons as beneficiaries of this training”, she stated.
tekoja also seized the opportunity of the graduation ceremony to acknowledge the resilience and courage displayed by the trainees from inception of the rigorous training to the end.
She, therefore, urged the graduands not to rest on their oars but to strive and break even in their various areas of focus, saying “Do not deviate from your dream of changing the narratives in the creative sector, keep making efforts to be better than what you are presently and I can assure you that the sky will just be your starting point”.
The Head of School for EbonyLife Creatives Academy, DrilkusVolschenk appreciated the Lagos State Government for investing in the future of the youth through capacity enhancement.
Volschenk said that EbonyLife Academy had impacted the lives of the beneficiaries positively and equipped them with the skills they need to break even in the creative sector.
He advised the youth beneficiaries to be determined to make the State Government’s investment worthwhile through self-development and by continuously seeking for more knowledge in their various fields of endeavour.
