By JKNewsMedia
OGUN STATE Governor Dapo Abiodun has declared that the creative industry has moved beyond being a side attraction to becoming a global economic powerhouse.
The governor made the statement while declaring open the Creative Youths Experience, themed Framing the Future Bootcamp, at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, on Saturday.
He explained that the position of his administration is to build an enabling environment where talent is nurtured and supported for growth.
Speaking through his Deputy, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Abiodun said President Bola Tinubu’s policies on youth development have continued to expand opportunities across sectors of the Nigerian economy, particularly within the creative industry.
He stated that these policies reflect a strong commitment to building a generation of empowered Nigerians.
The governor stressed that the Creative Youths Experience was more than an event, describing it as a movement that places youths at the centre of creativity, innovation, and cultural preservation.
He emphasised that the programme aligns with the state’s Building Our Future Together Agenda and the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Abiodun assured participants that his administration would continue to support youths through mentorship, provision of resources, and opportunities that position them to lead Africa’s creative relations.
He charged young people to let passion and creativity drive their ambitions, stating that the government would remain committed to creating the right environment for their success.
The governor also highlighted that vocational training in the creative sector extends beyond survival, noting that it is about economic viability, self-determination, and global recognition.
He urged youths to embrace photography and videography as vital modern skills that serve as windows into lives, opportunities, and destinies.
Veteran film producer and director, Tunde Kelani, speaking at the event, encouraged photographers and videographers to use their cameras with conscience.
He advised them to challenge authority, celebrate beauty, promote hope, and uphold culture through their creative expressions.
Kelani added that technology has democratised creativity, making it possible for content to be shared across the world within seconds.
Also addressing the participants, Chairman and CEO of NORD Motors, Mr. Oluwatobi Ajayi, reminded the youths that they live in an age where difficulties are being redefined.
He urged them to focus on the positives, cultivate determination, embrace integrity, and remain diligent while pursuing their dreams with passion.
Convener of the Creative Youths Experience, Mr. Ayomide Ilesanmi, said the platform was designed to provide avenues for youths to thrive.
He explained that without proper training and equipping, young people would not be able to take full advantage of opportunities in the digital space.
Ilesanmi further stated that the programme would run for three months, training participants in skills such as photography, filmmaking, editing, and film shooting.
He added that at the conclusion of the training, the most outstanding participants would be rewarded with prizes described as beyond their imagination.
