Lagos corps members to receive creative industry training at EbonyLife Academy

Corps members serving in the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture are set to benefit from specialised training at the renowned EbonyLife Academy, in a bid to empower youths and strengthen the state’s creative economy.

The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed this on Tuesday during an interactive session with corps members posted to the Ministry and its agencies — the Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LASCAC) and the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB).

Benson-Awoyinka said the training would cover photography, cinematography, scriptwriting, and music production. Corps members will be split into three batches for rotational postings and formal sessions at the academy, with the freedom to choose specialisations aligned with their career goals.

“Over 15,000 individuals have already been trained free of charge in various aspects of the creative industry through partnerships between the Lagos State Government and private sector trainers, including the EbonyLife Academy,” she noted. “This is a golden opportunity for corps members to acquire industry-relevant skills that will shape their future.”

She encouraged corps members to act as brand ambassadors for the Ministry by promoting the state’s youth-focused initiatives among their peers. She also urged them to engage actively in the Ministry’s programmes and events, describing the service year as a platform for personal and professional growth.

Highlighting upcoming activities, the Commissioner mentioned film industry engagements and preparations for the international E-1 Boat Racing event slated for October.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, advised corps members to embrace discipline and leverage networking opportunities throughout their service year.

Sharing her experience, Miss Sule Peculiar Oboghena, a corps member with LASCAC, said working with the Council’s troupe had expanded her skills as a theatre graduate. Other corps members also spoke about discovering Lagos State’s rich tourism potential, cultural diversity, and inclusiveness, which they believe remain underexplored.