Sola POPOOLA
The Ekiti State chapter of Theatre Arts & Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji’s administration in the areas of talents discovery, development and promotion of creative entrepreneurship.
The newly elected Governor of the TAMPAN in the State, Sunkanmi Dada made this known in a released in Ado-Ekiti .
In the statement issued at the end of its general meeting held in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday.,the Association commended the Oyebamji administration for the inclusion of Arts, Culture and Tourism as part his administration’s agenda towards the development of Ekiti State,
It acknowledged the administration’s unique approach to governance and the priority attention given to matters that affect the wellbeing of the generality of the people.
He described TAMPAN as an association that has played a vital role in the implementation of the cultural policies of government of Ekiti State since creation and contributed in no small measure to Creative Tourism by bringing film locations to different parts of Ekiti State,
The movie-maker and marketer explained that his leadership was committed to supporting the BAO administration towards the fulfilment and actualization of the vision to use arts, culture and tourism as tool to develop the economy of the State.
The Igede-Ekiti born Thespian, commended the activities of the Ekiti State Ministry of Arts, Culture and Tourism providing that part of his plans to further support the State government in making Ekiti State a hub of creative businesses.
According to him , Ekiti State had played a prominent role in the history of theatre arts and movie-making revolution in the Southwest and by extension, Nigeria.
He hinted that Nollywood today started through the exploits of the likes of Kola Ogunmola, Hubert Ogunde, Jimoh Aliu, Chief Ojo Olowojolu of Ojojolu Films Empire.
Chief Aliu and Chief Olowojolu had at different times made Ekiti State a beehive of movie-making activities, he affirmed. He declared that the vibrancy of theatre entreprises in Ekiti through the likes of Chief Aliu elicited the interest of many young talents in those days. One of such young talents is the current Professor Bakare Ojo Rasaki.
He said since the likes of Chief Ojojolu have not been able to muster enough financial strength to bring multi-million naira film project to the State like he did between 1999 and 2004, Ekiti State has virtually become bereft of significant movie-making activities, in spite of the fact that the State has talented actors, movie directors and scriptwriters. Comrade Olasunkanmi Dada, who is also the Managing Director of Onise-ire Film Marketing Company therefore urged Ekiti State Government to invest in the State’s creative economy.
He revealed that, as part of the strategies to reposition Ekiti State within the entertainment sector, plans have been concluded to relocate his Talent and Creative Development Centre known as Goodwill Film Academy to Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital.
The Academy basically dedicated to practical training of talented Artistes, content producers and production would kick off in April, 2023 in Ado-Ekiti. The Academy is expected to offer 6-month Certificate courses in various aspects of Media and creative productions. It would also create platforms for exhibition and and exposure.
He posited that Ekiti Culture and language are gradually going into extinction because the medium for their preservation which includes our local music and other oral arts are no longer supported for sustainability and growth. He said his administration would be willing to collaborate with the State Government to revive Ekiti musical arts for the twin purposes of economic revival and Job Creation.
Comrade Dada therefore called for the establishment of the Ekiti State Intervention Fund for Films and Creativity as a catalyst to aid discovery and development of talents, promote the arts of movie-making and enhance creative businesses in the State.
He pledged that Ekiti TAMPAN under his leadership will strive towards marketing the unique spectacles of natural depth and ecology to attract movie projects to Ekiti State. According to him, the lush green vegetation, the hills and mountains, amazing springs, the waterfall and a countless number of natural monuments and historic heritages are essential elements that can attract big movie projects.
Comrade Olasunkanmi called for cooperation among Ekiti creative Artistes towards supporting the BAO administration to achieve its vision as spelt out in his developmental agenda. He also urged the State Government to continue to show sincerity of purpose and determination.