LASG PROMISES TO SUPPORT TALENTED CREATIVE YOUTH, AS WINNERS EMERGE IN MAIDEN EKO ARTS, CRAFTS COMPETITIONS
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing young creative talents and promoting cultural excellence through arts, crafts, and innovation as a way of strengthening the foundation of the State’s creative sector.
The assurance came as nine outstanding students emerged winners at the Grand Finale of the maiden Eko Arts and Crafts Competition, for Secondary Schools and Tertiary Institutions in Lagos State, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, Esq.With the Theme: MY LAGOS, MY ARTS.
The contested event, which was held on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, featured 153 entries from secondary and tertiary institutions across the State, with the winners rewarded with one-year scholarship awards.
In the Junior Secondary School category, the winners were Israel Adedoyin of Government Junior Model College, Owutu, Ikorodu; Kolawole Jubril of Ikorodu Junior Grammar School; and Desmond Awatefe, Tobvic College, Badagry.
The Senior Secondary School category produced Alexis Aghenta of Square College, Lekki; Usa Pascal of Birel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba, and Maryam Owolewa, Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu.
From the Tertiary Institutions, the winners were Goodness Popoola and Paul Alaba, both from Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin, and Azeez Aderibigbe from Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu commended the initiative, describing it as “a visionary step towards cultivating the next generation of creative Lagosians.”
“This is a brilliant and forward-looking project that deserves continuity. I will personally advocate at the House of Assembly to ensure it receives adequate funding and support,” he said, adding that the competition reflects the innovation and energy that define Lagos youth.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu commended the creativity displayed by the students and appreciated the commitment of teachers, parents, and judges who contributed to the success of the competition.
“To our students, your artistry is inspiring. To our teachers, parents, and mentors, thank you for believing in these young minds. And to Mr. Governor, we express deep gratitude for his unwavering support for arts and culture in Lagos State,” he said.
She emphasised that the works showcased not only reflected the artistic potential of the participants but also the promising future of arts and culture in Lagos State.
While congratulating the winners for their remarkable efforts, the Permanent Secretary charged the participants to pursue excellence and make lasting impacts in the creative world and beyond.
In her remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, expressed delight at the success of the maiden edition, noting that the initiative was conceived to “discover, empower, and celebrate” young artistic talents in the State.
“We aimed to create a platform where young people can express their creativity, tell the Lagos story through art, and contribute to the future of our creative economy,” she said.
She explained that the initiative aligns with the vision of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu under the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, particularly the pillar focused on Entertainment and Tourism, which emphasises the transformative power of creativity in socio-economic development.
According to her, the competition will become an annual platform to identify and nurture young talents in painting, drawing, sculpture, and crafts, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world creative enterprise.