GOVERNOR Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to support the 890 graduate trainees of the Africa Film Academy (AFA) with grants to support the remarkable film production concept they came up with through the Lagos State Film Fund.
The Governor made the pledge at the graduation ceremony of the trainees under the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI), which was held at the Lagos Theatre in the Igando-Ikotun LCDA of Alimosho LGA on Tuesday, October 25, 2022.
Beneficiaries of the 'Film in a Box' programme facilitated by the AFA were trained for six weeks in acting, editing, sound production, directing, lighting, and others. They were drawn from Alimosho LGA, Badagry and Epe.
Speaking as a Special Guest of Honour, the Governor who turned up at the event with members of his cabinet reiterated his administration's firm resolve to partner with professional bodies to train youths in the creative industry.
Earlier, a daughter of Alimosho, and state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Pharm Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, while thanking the Governor for supporting the initiative domiciled in her ministry, also congratulated the graduands and promised to follow up on their progress.
Akinbile-Yusuf also said that the training would enable them to break new ground in the industry and to become self-reliant.
Also Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer, African Movie Academy Award, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe MFR, says although the mandate was to train 600 but it eventually trained about 890 students from Epe, Alimosho, as well as Badagry.
She also said some of the students had gotten jobs already as they were also taught the business angle with the creative side and during the period of empowerment.
Anyiam-Osigwe also commended the Governor for his administration's huge investment in the entertainment and creative industries.
As a way of showcasing the talents harnessed from the programme, a movie – The Delivery, produced by graduates from the Alimosho Local Government Area was played for the audience to watch. The movie, which appears to have a second part, was made with the concept of raising awareness of the human trafficking world in the country.
Dignitaries present from Alimosho included the Chairman, Igando-Ikotun LCDA, Comr. Lasisi Akinsanya, Chairman, Egbe-Idimu LCDA, Hon. Kunle Sanyaolu, Chairman, Alimosho LGA, Hon. Jelili Sulaimon and the House of Representatives candidate for Alimosho Federal Constituency, Hon. Ganiyu Ayuba (Mayor KK).
