Speaking at the launch of the programme in Lagos, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, disclosed that the new collaboration was designed to empower participants, particularly youths, with the right set of skills in any of the chosen fields.

Akinbile-Yussuf noted that the initiative is among several others embarked upon by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to empower residents, stressing that there had been an earlier collaboration with Ebony Life Academy and Del-York Creative Academy to train youths via its free, short courses on creative skills.

She explained that the programme covered all aspects of filmmaking and media content production including acting, directing, editing and cinematography amongst others, adding that about 1,500 young talented persons have already benefitted from the first phase of the training.

Informing that 480 youths are undergoing similar training at Ebony Life Creative Academy to hone their skills, Akinbile-Yussuf revealed that the Ministry, in partnership with the Academy, had recently concluded a capacity-building training for 600 youths in Alimosho, Badagry and Epe.

Her words: “It is a thing of joy that this intervention in the creative industry is yielding fruits as graduates from the Academy are already making waves in the film industry after the just concluded ‘Film in a Box’ training held in Alimosho. One of the graduates from the collaboration with Africa Film Academy has been selected by Popular Nollywood Actor and Film Producer, Toyin Abraham to join her team”.

Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Oyinade Nathan-Marsh, said that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu placed a high premium on Tourism and Entertainment, which are among the six pillars of the T.H.E.M.E.S development agenda

She said that the State Government has invested and created special grants for graduates of the programmes in the entertainment sector in order to create more employment, imploring the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the training and development opportunity to become financially independent.

The CEO of Temple Company, Mr. Idris Olorunimbe of Ogidi Studios explained that the training would be different and significant because the internationally acclaimed Henley School of Business is scheduled for the programme.

Dignitaries at the event included Mrs. Sheila Ojei, Director of Strategy, Funding and Stakeholder Management, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Talented Nollywood Actor Ope Aiyeola amongst others.

Interested applicants are enjoined to register for the training via: http://www.gidicreativecentre.com