By Wisdom Agbonta
Creative arts encompass the exceptional use of skills and technology by individuals or industries, basically for entertainment and contribute to the economic development of any society.
As entertainment is taking the centre stage in Nigeria and globally, there is the need for governments to encourage innovation and creativity in youths as well as create the enabling environment for their potentials to be fully harnessed and actualized.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has made laudable achievements in the entertainment sector since his assumption of office. He strongly believes in the future of the people, particularly the youths and has reiterated his administration’s commitment to providing the enabling environment for them to thrive. His unwavering commitment is seen and felt in his policies and programs; the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and Sound Stage is part of his vision to boost entertainment in the State.
The Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub with its Sound Stage is an initiative of Governor Obaseki, aimed at bringing content creators together and providing for them state-of-the-art production facilities that support the growth of the creative industry in the State. It is designed to help the people to showcase their talent to the world and offer a place to build valuable connections.
Similarly, the hub came alive with the Maiden Edition of the Edo State International Film Festival (ESIFF) that was organized by the State Government in partnership with EdoJobs, German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), Allure, Phoenix, Presco Plc, amongst others. It had participants from over 94 countries including movie makers, investors, distributors and enthusiasts in the industry from across the globe to showcase the exceptional talent in the creative sector of the State.
It was an insightful time for participants as they had intensive master classes on building careers in Content Creation, Smartphone Movie Making, Acting for the Screen and Theatre, Directing, Screenwriting, Special Effect Make-up and Sound Editing. Others are Movie Premieres and lots of other fun activities. The movies were shown simultaneously at Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub and the Kada Cinema.
The event was indeed exciting as people came out en masse to leverage the opportunity of showcasing their creative works and it was as well an amazing time with top Nollywood celebrities. Interestingly, some Edo indigenes who have carved a niche for themselves in the industry were recognized and were made ambassadors of the festival as they graced the occasion with their presence.
As part of activities to add fun to the festival, there was a special tour of Presco Plc, one of the largest employers of labor in the State. The Management of Presco Plc hosted the guests on a tour of the facilities and also treated them to sumptuous meals.
The highlights of the festival was the interactive session with the various speakers which included Governor Godwin Obaseki; the State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism and Diaspora Affairs, Hon. Bamidele Obaitan; the Managing Director, Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs), Mrs. Dare Ukinebo; the Head of Programs/Skills Development for Youth Employment, GIZ, Tobias Wolfgarten; the Chairman of the Festival and Film Director and Producer, Amb. Lancelot Imasuen; the Festival Director of the King Moshoeshoe Film Festival Lesotho, Aubrey Silinyana; the Head of Production West Africa, Multichoice, Victor Aghahowa and an Actress, Film Producer and Director, Mary Njoku. The participants were enlightened on various topics such as creative industry and employment opportunities for youths in the State.
The climax of the film festival was the presentation of prizes and awards to winners in the various categories by Governor Obaseki. The movie titled, ‘Onaiwu’, was the best overall film at the festival as directed by Joseph Okhomina, who also won the best Director at the Festival.
As a way of promoting the use of indigenous language in filmmaking, the best indigenous language film award was bagged by “On this Mountain” while ‘Omoatama’ emerged the best film shot in Edo State. The movie ‘Zara’ won best Smartphone Movie; the “Battle of the West” emerged best film in the use of technology; while “The Funeral” won the best student film amongst many other awards.
The laudable work of Governor Obaseki in the entertainment sector has raised the profile of the State as it is gradually becoming the best movie production hub in Nigeria.
