The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has kicked off the next stage of training for 100 exceptional young talents at the Del York Creative Academy (DCA) to boost the creative industry in the state.
This training, which is a step germane for the growth of the industry, is coming after a successful completion of a first-of-its-kind virtual skills programme for Creative Lagos.
The Creative Lagos programme is powered by the DCA and the Lagos State Government under the auspices of the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative (LACI).
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, confirmed the governor’s approval of 100 best graduating students from the Creative Lagos online programme into the intensive hands-on programme at the Del York Creative Academy.
She acknowledged that the training is in line with Sanwo-Olu’s pledge to empower young innovative talents across the state by providing access to capacity building opportunities.
Describing it as remarkable, Akinbile-Yusuf expressed pride in the growth, which she said she had witnessed in the students in the last 10 months.
According to the commissioner, some of the beneficiaries have begun to impact positively on the local industry ecosystem and their local communities.
Hence, she commended them for being resilient, diligent, and passionate. “Some of the work you have done, especially in the class projects and short films, has reinforced the underlying logic for setting up the LACI.”
As a result, Akinbile-Yusuf pledged that many more initiatives that will further enhance the state’s human capital capacity, empower beneficiaries, and attract Foreign Direct Investment into the state for infrastructure and job creation will trickle in.
She, therefore, implored the students to put their best foot forward while reminding them that their success stories aren’t theirs alone.
“It is an important part of the jigsaw puzzle we are designing for the future of African Storytellers and the creative industry at large.”
As the partnership continues to chart a new course for these brilliant talents into the Lagos State Creative Industry ecosystem, it is also on the quest for the state to be the hub of the African creative industry market.
This resonated in the words of the President of DCA, Linus Idahosa. “This is just the beginning. Currently, we are building a foundation alongside our partners that will set the stage for the curation and explosion of young African talents into the global film, media, and entertainment industry.”
He also highlighted their pursuit to carry on. “We will not stop there, but will go further to ensure that you receive the leverage that will set you apart as innovative thinkers and doers for the creative industry in Lagos State, and across Africa.”
Meanwhile, thee DCA programme is reputed to be the most-intensive practical training for the industry talents in Africa and will run till December 31 this year.
Already, the international faculty members of the DCA have arrived Nigeria from Los Angeles and are poised to bequeath valuable industry knowledge to students participating in the week intensive programme.
Registration is ongoing for the next cohort in March 2022. Prospective students are to register via the delyork website.
Rebecca Ejifoma
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