The Kwara State Government has restated its dedication to empowering young people in the state by providing them with the necessary skills and opportunities to develop their talents in the creative and entertainment industries.
This commitment is evident through the recent establishment of the Visual Arts Center and Sugar Film Factory.
Hon. Bolanle Olukoju, the State Commissioner for Communications, reiterated this commitment during a meeting with renowned screen icon Kunle Afolayan in her office in Ilorin today.
The Visual Arts Center and Sugar Film Factory projects, according to Olukoju, are significant endeavors undertaken by the current administration in the state.She further disclosed that once finished, these initiatives will provide a platform for young individuals with a zeal for creativity and filmmaking to explore and develop their talents.
“This will keep our youth engaged, enabling them to tap into their creative potentials. The projects will not only benefit our young talents but will also contribute significantly to the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and economic the economic growth as well,” she stressed.
While taking the guests round the project, alongside her counterpart from Business Innovation and Technology Ministry, Hon. Damilola Yusuf Adelodun, Olukoju commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for the foresight and initiatives by establishing the centre, adding that “these projects are not only beneficial to the present generation, but also the ones yet unborn.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Yahaya Mohammed, expressed gratitude to the guests for their visit and assured them of the ministry’s support whenever the need arises.
Earlier, the screen icon, film maker, and an award winning Actor cum Director, Mr. Kunle Afolayan, described his visit as “homecoming because I am a proud Kwaran. The Sugar Film Factory is no doubt a huge project, with huge potentials.”
Afolayan a native of Agbamu, in Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, in company of KAP’s Academy Director, Seun Soyinka, enthusiastically said: “projects of this magnitude can attract Artistes from both within and outside the Country. As a native of Kwara, I am eager to collaborate with the State Government, to ensure its success,” he added.
On the purpose of his visit; “I am here to meet with the Commissioner for Communications, to discuss our shared interests and partnership opportunities. I have a wide range of opportunities to collaborate with the state, from providing film production and management training to the youth of Kwara, to exploring various aspects of the entertainment industry.”
Ahmed, Abeeb Oredunni
Press Secretary,
MoC
