Lagos govt pledges support for young people during first Eko Arts and Crafts Competition

The Lagos State Government has reiterated its dedication to fostering young creative talents and enhancing cultural excellence through arts, crafts, and innovation, aimed at reinforcing the foundation of the State’s creative industries.

This commitment was highlighted as nine exceptional students were declared winners at the Grand Finale of the first Eko Arts and Crafts Competition, organized for secondary and tertiary institutions by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, led by Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, Esq., the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture. The event was themed “MY LAGOS, MY ARTS.”

Held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja, the competition saw 153 submissions from various secondary and tertiary institutions throughout the State, with winners receiving one-year scholarship awards.

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The Junior Secondary School category’s winners included Israel Adedoyin from Government Junior Model College, Owutu, Ikorodu; Kolawole Jubril of Ikorodu Junior Grammar School; and Desmond Awatefe from Tobvic College, Badagry.

In the Senior Secondary School category, winners were Alexis Aghenta of Square College, Lekki; Usa Pascal from Birel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba; and Maryam Owolewa from Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu.

For Tertiary Institutions, the winners were Goodness Popoola and Paul Alaba from Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, along with Azeez Aderibigbe from Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.

During the event, Hon. Solomon Bonu, Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, praised the initiative as a “visionary step” towards nurturing the next generation of creative individuals from Lagos. He expressed his commitment to advocating for adequate funding and support for the project, emphasizing its reflection of the vibrant spirit and innovation of Lagos youth.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, commended the students’ creativity and acknowledged the support from teachers, parents, and judges that contributed to the event’s success. He highlighted the inspiring artistry of the participants and thanked the Governor for his consistent support of arts and culture in Lagos State.

He also remarked that the showcased works demonstrated the artistic potential of the participants and the promising future for arts and culture in Lagos.

While congratulating the winners on their impressive achievements, the Permanent Secretary encouraged all participants to strive for excellence and make a meaningful impact in the creative realm and beyond.

In her address, Senior Special Assistant Damilola Ayinde-Marshal expressed her happiness with the inaugural edition’s success, sharing that the initiative was designed to “discover, empower, and celebrate” young artistic talents in the State.

“Our goal was to establish a platform for youth to express their creativity, narrate the Lagos story through art, and contribute towards the future of our creative economy,” she stated.

She explained that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s vision under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, particularly in the area of Entertainment and Tourism, highlighting the transformative role of creativity in socio-economic growth.

According to her, the competition will become an annual event aimed at identifying and nurturing young talents in painting, drawing, sculpture, and crafts, thus bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world creative enterprises.