Orientation week for the Gidi Creative Centre finalists began on Tuesday, 4th October 2022 at the Tayo Aderinokun Lecture Theatre at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to officially launch the Gidi Creative Centre, a training and capacity- building initiative powered by the Lagos State Government Administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in collaboration with the Temple Company. Other partners include Henley Business School and University of Lagos.
The initiative aims to empower 200 youths in ten skill areas, including Media Studies, Audio Engineering, Creative Writing, Animation 101, Graphics Design, Multimedia, Film Making, Production Design and Project Management for creatives.
The Orientation program was fully attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, along with representatives from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, and Henley Business School at the University of Reading.
Idris Olorunnimbe, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Temple Company and Director, Gidi Creative Centre, disclosed that over 1000 applications were received after a call-out was made six weeks ago.
He added that, “After the training, there is an opportunity for the creatives to pitch and access funding from the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF)”. They can access grants or single-digit loans.
Winifred Okpapi, Head of Strategy, Arts & Talent Affairs, the Temple Company, further disclosed that at the Orientation scheduled for five days (4th October – 8th October 2022), participants would be trained on leadership and entrepreneurship with faculty from Henley Business School and would receive coaching on how to launch, grow, and position a successful business.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, commended the brains behind Gidi Creative Centre as a “timely intervention” at a period when “Japa” (migration abroad) is the new fad among Nigerian youths”.
The participants (who have been tagged, ‘Gidi Changers’) were urged to fully utilize the opportunity provided by Gidi Creative Centre to advance their talent and acquire the necessary skills to succeed as entrepreneurs.
