Sanwo-Olu raises the bar in the tourism and entertainment sector

While the transformational leadership of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has had a profound impact on all sectors of the state, it is noteworthy that the Governor, whose first term agenda was based on THEMATIC agenda, has given priority attention to Tourism and the Entertainment Sector which is a major cardinal in its THEMES Plus development program.

These are some of the actions that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has taken in just five years in office to make Lagos State sustainable in terms of tourism, entertainment, arts and culture in the context of the ecosystem.

Its ultimate goal is to drive tourism, create jobs and increase the non-oil sector’s share of the country’s gross domestic product.

To demonstrate his administration’s commitment to the entertainment sector, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has put an end to the $100 million African Film City project in Epe, Lagos State.

The project, which aimed to empower creative talent, build capacity and provide dual financial and training support to the sector, emanated from the state’s Tourism Master Plan under its THEMATIC Agenda. The master plan was then rigorously implemented by Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, who headed the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

The proposed Film City, to be built on 100 hectares of land, will create greater opportunities to develop contemporary cinema skills, increase grants for storytelling, and put Lagos on the global film map.

To be built in partnership with Del-York Group, this massive multi-million dollar project, upon completion, is expected to become the “Silicon Valley” of creative ideas not only for Nigerians but also for the entire continent. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu through this project encourages film production stakeholders to tell our stories to the world.

The master plan, based on the Lagos Tourism Policy, aims to utilize and develop the state’s tourism resources into various products attractive to both inbound and outbound tourists; unleash Lagos tourism to the world through aggressive digital marketing and promotion; stimulate and encourage the creative industry, support and encourage the development of tourism initiatives in local communities.

Under Governor Sanwo-Olu, the master plan has now included some areas of tourism activities that have not received attention before, which will result in comprehensive development of every aspect of tourism in the years to come.

In crafting the Tourism Master Plan, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has shown his determination to address all aspects of tourism in the state, which would include greater Lagos.

Interestingly, one of the promises made by Governor Sanwo-Olu was to complete tourism-related projects started by his predecessor. He set to work founding the Lagos State Creative Industries Initiatives, LACI. The idea behind the establishment of LACI is to further reposition the creative sector in line with the goals of its administration to develop the tourism stages of the state to harness its optimal potential and showcase the state to the world while addressing skill shortages in the creative industry.

LACI’s vision is to leverage the state’s rich natural resources and diverse cultural heritage to promote the sustainable development of the creative space as a viable economic sector in a way that enhances, promotes and protects the richness, quality and unique characteristics of Lagos. The initiative aims to draw attention to Lagos by bringing together creative talent that will expand the scope of opportunities in both tourism and creative industries.

Under LACI, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, under the watchful eye of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, partnered with two private companies; EbonyLife Academy and Del-York Creative Academy to prepare the next group of professionals in the creative space.

Ebonylife engaged approximately 480 creative participants in quarterly physical classes, while Del-York Creative Academy provided a hybrid version of online and offline training for 1,000 creative industry participants. They were trained in creating stories for series and films, cinematography and digital marketing.

From the beginning of his administration, one of the promises made by Governor Sanwo-Olu was to complete the tourism-related projects started by his predecessor. He set to work founding the Lagos State Creative Industries Initiatives, LACI. The idea behind the establishment of LACI is to further reposition the creative sector in line with the goals of its administration to develop the tourism stages of the state to harness its optimal potential and showcase the state to the world while addressing skill shortages in the creative industry.

As part of this initiative to fill the gap in the creative sector, the Governor has provided many of the state’s residents with the tools they need to navigate a world of unemployment, as well as equipping them with equal technical equipment to compete globally with their peers in the film industry.

The opinions of LACI beneficiaries are very encouraging. It should be emphasized that the training, which would normally cost the beneficiaries several thousand Naira, was free of charge for its participants.

There is also the “Movie in a Box” initiative of the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led administration. So far, residents of Alimosho in the Lagos area have benefited from the initiative, with another 890 youths sponsored by the Sanwo-Olu administration graduating from the African Film Academy after a free six-week intensive training.

890 young people were beneficiaries of the African Film Academy’s ‘Film in a Box’ program in partnership with the Lagos State Government, which aimed to train and empower young people in the creative industry in three different centers – Alimosho, Epe and Badagry locations.

Graduate trainees learned acting, art direction, lighting and lighting, editing, sound production and post-production, among others. Interestingly, some students made films during their studies. The plan was to show these films in the cinema to show the world Alimosho. The project was led by the late coordinator of the Academy, Mrs. Amaka Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.

A strong supporter of continuity of governance, Governor Sanwo-Olu resurrected and completed the abandoned JK Randle Arts and Cultural Center, which was a symbol of peace and culture as it reminded tourists of the role that returned 20th century slaves initially played in Lagos.

It is a key facility in raising the bar for robust entertainment and tourism in Lagos and a source of revenue generation for the state. To the delight of Lagosians and culture lovers, Babajide Sanwo-Olu defended its delivery before the end of his first term.

Another significant development is the Glover Hall Memorial Hall. The project was started by his predecessor and Governor Sanwo-Olu finished it and cut the tape of the building. The hall has become a center for creative theatrical expression, hosting live performances to the delight of the people of Lagos Island and surrounding areas.

Over the past four years, other cultural heritage sites, shrines and monuments have been discovered in the riverine communities of Ikorodu, Olomo-metta and Ilase in Badagry, and the governor has promised that these sites will be documented, developed and preserved by his administration.

Eco NAFEST 2022 is also a credit to Governor Sanwo-Olu as the state hosted the National Arts and Cultural Festival (NAFEST). It was an opportunity for the state government to showcase its rich cultural heritage to the world and appeal to Nigerians to protect the unity of the country.

Governor Sanwo-Olu used the occasion to appeal to every Nigerian to see their diversity, ethnicity and religious tolerance as an opportunity to unite without allowing politics and other things to divide them.

The Governor led the way when his administration supported Nigeria’s premier music award, Headies. It is known that Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration was the first government entity to support the Academy Award.

The Headies Award, held in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, recognized local music artists, producers, DJs, music video directors and songwriters for their talent and creativity.

Governor Sanwo-Olu’s presence at the Oscar ceremony was met with applause and his intervention, hailed as a major turning point for the industry, was hailed as a true gesture by his administration to boost productivity and capacity in the creative sector.

Observers say that the governor through this intervention has deliberately and intentionally facilitated the export of music products to the world as it would translate into an increase in the country’s GDP.

Since his assumption of office, the Greater Lagos Fiesta, an annual entertainment event that is another flagship program of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, continues to engage and entertain the people of Lagos at the end of every year.

Ikorodu Town Hall, Epe Recreation Center, Agege Stadium, Badagry Primary School, Eko Atlantic City and the recent Sol Beach Victoria Island are the usual venues for the fiesta that attracts top-notch musicians and emerging artistes to delight thousands of fans and fun seekers.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently expressed his commitment to enhancing awareness of tourism, entertainment and gaming for the economic and social development of the state.

He said: “Lagos, known for its commercial and political grandeur, is considered the commercial and entertainment capital of Africa and remains committed to developing the country’s tourism sector.

“This is done by exporting entertainment and culture to various entities such as film, music, fashion and, most recently, gaming.”

Sanwo-Olu assured creative arts practitioners in Lagos State of his government’s unwavering commitment to the development of the sector, describing it as one of the key factors driving tourism development in the state.

He added that “Creative arts have a special place in Pillar E of his administration’s THEMES agenda, which stands for entertainment and tourism. Over the three years of implementing our development agenda, we have left no one in any doubt about our desire to fully exploit the largely untapped potential in the entertainment sector, especially the creative arts component.”

With progress in the industry, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson, believes that Lagos State will soon gain global recognition by showcasing its rich cultural heritage, music, people and cuisine which she considered incomparable.

In the same vein, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe assured that “under the visionary leadership of the Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and with the steadfast support of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, we strive to perfection.

“The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture remains steadfast in its mission to nurture our rich cultural heritage, promote artistic endeavors and drive the tourism sector as the cornerstone of economic development.

“Together, let us embark on this transformative journey towards a brighter and more prosperous future for Lagos State.”