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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that his administration is determined to make the state a hub for creativity in Africa and beyond.
Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed this commitment at the weekend, while speaking at the Opening Ceremony of Afropolis Lagos 2024, themed: “We Need New Myths,” held at the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, Lagos Island.
Sanwo-Olu ,who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, assured that his government was committed to make Lagos beyond a city that not only tells its own stories, but also provides a stage for the stories of Africa to reach a global audience.
The governor noted that his government appreciated and recognized the transformative power of art and culture in shaping the societies, emphasised that African cultural heritage is not only a source of pride, but also a catalyst for economic development, social cohesion, and a tool for international diplomacy.
He said towards this end, the state government was committed to supporting the creative industry, by providing the platforms, infrastructure, and opportunities needed for their talents to flourish.
“As a government, we recognize the transformative power of art and culture in shaping societies. This is why we are committed to supporting the creative industries, providing the platforms, infrastructure, and opportunities needed for their talents to flourish.
“Our cultural heritage is not only a source of pride; it is a catalyst for economic development, social cohesion, and a tool for international diplomacy,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while further noting that Lagos is Nigeria’s cultural capital, a city of infinite creativity and a hub of diverse narratives that embodies the very essence of what it meant to be dynamic, adaptable, and forward-looking, pointed out that the Afropolis Lagos 2024 is an event that testifies to the boundless energy, talent, and potential that reside within the creative industries.
The governor said the event came at the right time, noting that the theme was apt and a timely call for re-imagination, renewal, and a fresh understanding of who Africans were and what they aspired to become.
He further emphasized that the theme also challenges filmmakers, writers, musicians, and creators to create new stories that do not only honor African heritage, but also speak to the modern African experience, stories that embrace her diversity, resilience, and limitless potential.
“These stories have carried the wisdom of our ancestors, guided our beliefs, and shaped our societies. Yet, as the world around us evolves, we must recognize that our narratives too must evolve—reimagined to reflect the complexities, hopes, and realities of our time,” he stated.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, urged participants at the event to embrace the challenge of the year’s theme by using their craft to shape the myths that would define the future of Africa, saying that they should embrace technology, innovation, and sustainability as part of their narratives to “celebrate our achievements, confront our challenges, and dream boldly about what we can become.”
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, earlier in her welcome address, stated that Afropolis Lagos 2024 is a nine-day international festival of arts, culture, creativity and innovation, which aimed to transform Lagos into an epicentre of African creativity; welcoming artists, innovators and enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond.
The commissioner described the festival not just an event, but a celebration of the state identity, a showcase of her talent, and a testament to the power of creativity to inspire and unite, adding that it was a celebration of Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world.
“The festival is a celebration of Lagos as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world,” she said.
In his opening remarks, the Artistic Director and Curator of Afropolis Lagos 2024, Mr. Qudus Onikeku, assured that the event would help to situate Lagos as one of those places that the creative minds meet, be together, collaborate and ensure that ideas that never existed were turned into great innovations.
Onikeku stressed that collaboration was key to unlocking Lagos full potential, adding that to achieve this, the state government must join forces with global stakeholders who can accelerate development.
He, however, noted that strategic partnership would enable Lagos to tap into international expertise, resources, and best practices, driving growth and transformation.
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