The Del-York Creative Academy (DCA) has graduated 54 emerging creatives following the successful completion of its six-week intensive July 2026 Fellowship programme.
The graduation marked the culmination of an immersive training experience designed to equip participants with practical skills, industry knowledge and professional exposure across various disciplines within the creative sector.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Chairman of Del-York Group and President/Founder of DCA, Mr. Linus Idahosa, challenged the graduating creatives to look beyond simply acquiring creative skills and focus on what they intend to build with their talents.
Idahosa emphasised that creativity is not merely about producing content, but about the ability to transform ideas into meaningful and commercially viable outcomes.
“A creator is someone who creates order out of chaos,” he said, urging the graduates to approach their careers with clarity, vision and a strong sense of purpose.
He encouraged the graduates to remain committed to excellence as they transition from training into the wider creative industry, noting that their time at DCA should serve as a foundation for building sustainable careers and creating meaningful impact.
“You have an opportunity to become a voice, not just for the creative industry, but for your country and for the continent of Africa,” Idahosa said.
Reflecting on the importance of vision, he urged the graduates to look beyond individual assignments and understand the larger purpose behind their creative journeys.
“You might find yourselves on sets. You might find yourself producing your own thing. But understanding exactly what it is you are building is the most important part of being a creator,” he said.
Idahosa further encouraged the graduates to be deliberate about the work they put into the world, cautioning them against pursuing creative projects solely for immediate financial returns.
He urged them to take time to develop their ideas, refine their craft and create work that can stand the test of time.
“The gifts that you carry are not just for you. It is for the world waiting for you to manifest,” he said.
Also speaking at the graduation, Director of Programmes at Del-York Group, Evans Emmanuel, described the showcase as the culmination of six weeks of intensive training and capacity building.
“Today is the culmination of a long six weeks of training, capacity building that we’ve been engaged in. We are graduating 54 creative talents across different skills and all of that as regards the creative space,” Emmanuel said.
He noted that the programme was designed to give participants the knowledge and practical foundation required to navigate the creative industry, expressing optimism about the potential of the graduating class.
According to Emmanuel, the transformation witnessed throughout the fellowship demonstrated the value of providing emerging creatives with access to structured training, industry professionals and collaborative learning environments.
He expressed confidence that the graduates could go on to build careers across different areas of the creative ecosystem, including screenwriting, producing, acting, directing and other creative disciplines.
The DCA July 2026 Fellowship Graduation Showcase therefore represents not only the completion of a six-week learning journey, but the beginning of a new chapter for 54 emerging creatives equipped to take their skills, ideas and creative ambitions into the industry.
With their training complete, the graduates now join the growing community of DCA-trained creatives, carrying forward the knowledge, networks and experiences gained throughout their fellowship.
