First Bank Promises More Support For Creative Industry
The stage performance depicting Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Metsi (Water), an international play from South Africa and Dear Kaffy, a stage play performed by veteran Nollywood actor, Prince Jide Kosoko and actress Uzo Osimkpa introduced dignitaries to the richness of African culture worth celebrating and promoting at this year’s Lagos International Theatre Festival.
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Through the language of drama, songs and spoken words, the maiden edition of the festival brought together movers and shakers, investors, and practitioners in the entertainment industry.
The festival, an initiative of founder, Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters and sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria (FBN) showcases Nigeria’s culture and creativity through diverse performances, production and artistic expression, highlighting the country’s cultural heritage and creative talent and featured awards.
With the theme, Culture Unmasked, the Lagos International Theatre Festival, truly unmasked the beauty of culture. At the event, Nigerian playwright, Prof. Wole Soyinka; theatre director, Segun Adefila and veteran actor, Bimbo Manuel received awards for their contributions to the industry.
Bolanle Austen-Peters said the festival was developed not only to promote cultures but to make all the skill sets in the art sector come together as a community to create a wider ecosystem for the arts industry to thrive.
“We are excited that we are bringing the theatre community together in Nigeria. I’m honoured to be doing this. Theatre is coming back. There are lots of theatre companies that are represented but more infrastructures are needed as more people are engaging in theatre.”
Speaking on the decision for the festival, she said: “For a long time I didn’t want to do this but being in the frontline, I realised the need to get everybody together. This will be done yearly. Through this, jobs are created, skills are transferred.
Also speaking, the veteran actor, Francis Onwochei, said: “What is happening now is a strategic merger of things happening simultaneously; stage performances and television production are going on all over the place.”
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Speaking during the event in Victoria Island, Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, First Bank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu, said over the years, FirstBank has been deliberate about its support for the creative arts, a developing sector with great potential to drive the nation’s economic growth.
“We are all witnesses to the waves that Nollywood and the Nigeria music industry especially, are making all over the world; we are proud to have been a pivotal part of the success of this industry and we have continued to be deliberate about our support for it. “Very recently, we sponsored the “Oke Langbodo” stage performance which had over 1000 people in attendance and “Eni Ogun”, the Noble Warrior, a stage performance held in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka.
“Our commitment to the creative industry is as old as the Bank’s existence. However, through the First@arts initiative, we have continued to innovatively create bigger platforms for growing our sponsorship of the entire value chain of the creative arts industry, providing the much-needed financing, promotion, and sponsorship programmes to facilitate the successes of the industry.
“FirstBank’s partnership with the Lagos International Theatre Festival aligns with our commitment to foster creativity and innovation; promote cultural heritage and diversity; and support talent development and youth empowerment.
Speaking during the event, CEO, Channels TV, John Momoh, said: “A festival of this magnitude would not be possible without the tireless efforts of the organisers, the dedication of our talented performers, and the support of our sponsors and partners. But many thanks are due and indeed a tremendous debt of gratitude, to a woman whose vision, passion, and unwavering commitment have brought us to this defining moment: the remarkable Bolanle Austin-Peters. Her work has not only redefined the Nigerian stage but has also breathed new life into a theatre industry that was once on the brink of obscurity. Through her trailblazing productions and dedication, Bolanle, has reminded us of the immense power of storytelling and the role of the arts in shaping our society.”
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