FirstBank Collaborates with LITF to enhance Nigeria’s Creative Arts Sector
FirstBank Nigeria Limited, a foremost financial institution has thrown its support to enhance the nation’s creative arts sector, by collaborating with Lagos International Theatre Festival, which began on Thursday, 14th to end Sunday, 17th November, 2024 as a way of driving national growth, elevate young artists and fostering cultural exchange within and outside Nigeria.
This was revealed during a press briefing on Wednesday, 13th November, 2024 at the Director’s Lodge, 11 Bankroad, Ikoyi Lagos State. The event is already taking place in four locations- Terra Kulture; The National Theatre (Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts) John Randle Centre and Muson Centre. It will also parade talented artists from Zambia, South-Africa, Nigeria and United States.
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of FirstBank, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu stated that FirstBank has a soft-spot for creative sector, and as a corporate institution deeply woven into the fabric of the society, FirstBank recognises the transformative power of the arts, including theatre, and its ability to inspire the citizenry, ultimately fostering national cohesion. The arts provide a platform for self-expression, cultural exchange, and social commentary.
“For more than 130 years, FirstBank has been committed to empowering Nigerians by promoting national development through our involvement in various initiatives. We are excited to be part of this journey, empowering creativities, enriching the cultural landscape of Lagos, fostering community engagement and entrenching social impact.” Alebious remarked.
According to the Executive Director, Retail Banking, FirstBank, Mr. Oluseyi Oyefeso who represented the Managing Director Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, FirstBank has developed skills and supported many production houses, noting that the festival is an opportunity to bring them together as a community to create a wider ecosystem for arts sector to thrive.
“Our investment in the Lagos International Theatre Festival reflects our dedication of nurturing the creative sector, empowering young talents to achieving their artistic passions. This is a vital step towards sustaining the rich tapestry of Nigeria’s Culture and contributing to the global narrative of Africa art”, Oyefeso stated.
He said, “the creative sector, which includes music, film, literature and live performances contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economy, and by investing in events like Lagos International Theatre Festival, FirstBank is deeply supporting job creation, and the broader arts ecosystem, which includes sound engineers, marketers and stage designers”.
“The atmosphere is tensed up and something must be done to ease that tension. There is also the need to tell our story, and if someone is telling our story, such a person is promoting us and deserved to be encouraged and supported”.
Bolanle Austen-Peters, the founder of Lagos International Theatre Festival and Terra Kulture pointed out that aside oil, creativity is the nation’s selling point and biggest export and that such inspires the existence of the festival. She further emphasized the festival’s pivotal role in revitalizing Nigerian Stage production.
“With over 22 years in the industry and initiatives like Terra Academy for the Arts that have trained over 26,000 young people, we are using LITF to showcase the stage plays remain a vibrant part of Nigeria’s creative landscape.”
A veteran Nollywood actor Mr. Jide Kosoko also expressed gratitude for FirstBank’s unflinching support of the Arts, extolling its contributions to sustaining the sector.
FirstBank’s involvement in LITF is part of its First@Arts initiative, a platform dedicated to supporting the creative arts value chain across Nigeria.
The inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival is organised by Terra Kulture in partnership with the Lagos State government and proudly sponsored by FirstBank.
