.The new leadership of Ekiti chapter of Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has appealed to the state government to support talent discovery and development among the youth.
The new-elected TAMPAN Governor in the state, Mr Olasunkanmi Dada, made the appeal in a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti at the end of the association’s general meeting, held in Ado-Ekiti on Monday.
He said that the association would complement government’s efforts at promoting creative enterprises and developing talents in the state.
The TAMPAN governor commended the Gov. Biodun Oyebanji-led administration for the inclusion of arts, culture and tourism as part of his administration’s agenda toward the development of the state.
He also acknowledged the administration’s unique approach to governance as well as the priority given to matters affecting the wellbeing of the generality of the people.
Dada said that the association had played vital roles in the implementation of the state’s cultural policies since its creation and contributed, in no small measure, to its creative tourism by bringing film locations to different parts of the state.
He expressed the association’s commitment to supporting the state government toward fulfilling and actualising the vision of using arts, culture and tourism as tools for developing the state economy.
Dada also commended the activities of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism, pledging his support to making Ekiti a hub of creative businesses.
According to him, plans have been concluded to locate his Talent and Creative Development Centre, known as ‘Goodwill Film Academy’, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
He said that the academy, dedicated to practical training of talented artistes and content producers, would kick off in April 2023 in Ado-Ekiti.
“The academy is expected to offer six-month certificate courses in various aspects of media and creative productions. It will also create platforms for exhibition and exposure,” he said.
He described Ekiti as prominent in the history of theatre arts and movie-making revolution in the South-West and, by extension, Nigeria.
Dada hinted that Nollywood started through the exploits of the likes of the late Kola Ogunmola, Hubert Ogunde, Jimoh Aliu and Chief Ojo Olowojolu of Ojojolu Films Empire, most of whom were from Ekiti.
He posited that Ekiti culture and language were gradually going into extinction because the medium for their preservation, including local music and other oral arts, were no longer supported for sustainability and growth.
He said that his tenure would also be willing to collaborate with the state government to revive Ekiti musical arts, for the purposes of economic revival and job creation.
Dada called for the establishment of Ekiti State Intervention Fund for Films and Creativity as a catalyst to aiding discovery and development of talents, promoting the arts of movie-making and enhancing creative businesses in the state.