LAGOS
STATE GOVERNMENT
OFFICE
OF THE CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNOR
BAGAUDA
KALTHO PRESS CENTRE
The
Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria
P.M.B. 1613, Ikeja, Telegram: GOVLAG, Telephone:
01-7743710
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi
Ambode on Thursday said his administration has concluded plans to begin a total
revamping of the National Arts Theatre in Iganmu, Lagos by next month in time
for the 2017 Africa Movies Academic Awards (AMAA) ceremony holding in the State
later in the year.
Governor Ambode, who spoke when he
played host to officials of AMAA led by its President, Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe
at the Lagos House, Ikeja, expressed optimism that the plan to upgrade the
Theatre to world class standard would serve as a viable venue for the AMAA
event when completed.
“I want to also say that I am very
particular about the venue of the AMAA, so we would use everything possible to
make sure that the National Arts Theatre is ready. We are in a process and
before the month ends, we should have something to start doing within the first
week of April to getting the whole place ready,” he said.
Alluding to the fact that Lagos
would turn 50 by May 27, the Governor said that the hosting of the AMAA event
in Lagos would add more glamour to the celebration of the State’s Golden
Jubilee and showcase its hospitality to the continent and the world at large.
“This is a very historic moment for
us in Lagos. 2017 we are celebrating the existence of Lagos for 50 years. If
you look at the calendar, you would wonder in what ways and manner can we
celebrate Lagos?
“Without your sector, there is no
Lagos. So, when we say 50 years, we are talking about 50 years of history, so
somebody documents it, somebody dramatizes it, and then somebody keeps it, so
that those who are yet unborn would see it, so even when we are not there, it
would be displayed through your creative talents,” he said.
Governor Ambode said the recent
interventions of his administration in the creative industry was in line with
his belief that it represents a new opportunity for economic development and
unleashing the potentials of youths, assuring that he remains fully committed
to breaking the barriers weighing down the industry from thriving.
“We are in a synergy process.
Government might not have put so much effort in creative arts, but that’s the
new vista that we are going to. We have come to the end of white collar jobs,
we are into the era of creativity and innovation and then it’s only a good
government that has vision that can actually understand that we need to break
down the barriers that allow people with talents to actually display where the
real God given asset is. Yes, it’s lowly priced here, so we are just in a joint
step here to say that for the very first time, we would deliberately attack the
impediments that allow people not to thrive in the creative industry.
While officially accepting the
hosting rights for AMAA 2017, Governor Ambode said the State would take
advantage of the opportunity to boost its tourism mileage beyond Lagos @ 50.
“The whole essence is to grow the
GDP of Lagos; it would bring people into Lagos, they would stay in our hotels,
they would come watch the movies and then they would pay their taxes and
eventually it’s a conglomerate of goods and services that would escalate our
GDP,” the Governor said.
Earlier, President of AMAA, Mrs.
Peace Anyiam-Osigwe commended the Governor for his interest in the creative
industry, saying that it has given the sector a major boost in recent time.
“It’s amazing to have a Governor who
is like a family that seems to understand what our needs are. We’ve never had a
Governor of Lagos State who has shown so much deep interest in Nollywood,” she
said
She said the 2017 AMAA ceremony, the
13th in the series
would feature films from 72 countries with over 23,000 guests from across the
African continent vying for various awards.
SIGNED
HABIB ARUNA
CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY
MARCH 24, 2017
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