…Interest-free loans available for film makers
The Lagos State Government has once again demonstrated its commitment to the growth and success of youths, as 119 young and filmmakers graduate from the EbonyLife Creative Academy, under the Lagos Creative Initiative (LACI).
This is in line with the aim of the state government to fill the skill gaps of professionals in the creative industry.
At the graduation ceremony held at EbonyLife Place, Victoria Island area of the state, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, congratulated EbonyLife for doing Lagos proud.
She also commended the academy for making good use of funds for the training of the students consistently as well as sustaining it.
Akinbile-Yussuf, represented by the Director, Admin and Human Resource Department of the Ministry, Ms Toyin Ogunlana, assured the EbonyLife team of the State Government’s unflinching support, partnership and collaboration to give hope to the youths and engage them in skill acquisition programmes.
For the commissioner, the Lagos State in partnership with EbonyLife has trained six set of intakes.
The students have graduated and are deploying the acquired skills to excel in their chosen areas of expertise within the film industry.
“The Lagos State Government believes in you all and looks forward to seeing your best output in the industry. You have all been endowed with unique skills that will enable you to conceive, write and shoot your own movies as you deem fit,” she encouraged the graduates.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mrs Bukola Agbaminoja, felicitated the graduating students and commended them for participating in the training programme.
“The feedback we are getting as a government is encouraging and we are happy for you all. I see your films showing in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.
“But the bulk of the work lies in your hands. Please tell the story the way you want it to be told,” she implored.
Meanwhile, Agbaminoja informed the audience that the Lagos State interest-free loans are still available for interested film makers.
It can be accessed through the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board. “The state government is also building a Film City, designed to be a one-stop-destination for all filmmakers, on several hectares of land at Ejirin in Epe.”
The Head of the Academy, Mr Theart Korsten applauded the state government for its assistance to the school.
He noted that Lagos is the only state that contributes so much to the development of the sector.
While commending the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Korsten enjoined the students to focus on their career paths as he acknowledged the tenacity displayed during the 12-week intensive training programme.
He also informed that the third intake for the year comprising 128 students commenced classes on June 28th this year.
Korsten announced that the 22 films produced so far are available on the Youtube Channel of Ebonylife Creative Academy.
The short films ‘Canvas’, ‘Father Forgive Me’, ‘Halimah’ and ‘The Funeral’, written, performed and produced by the graduating students of the Class of June 2022 were watched by the dignitaries and guests present at the ceremony.
