By Peter Dansu The Lagos State Government has unveiled the maiden edition of the Eko Arts and Crafts Competition , a groundbreaking initia...
By Peter Dansu
The Lagos State Government has unveiled the maiden edition of the Eko Arts and Crafts Competition, a groundbreaking initiative designed to discover, nurture, and showcase the creativity of students across secondary schools and tertiary institutions in the state.
The launch, held on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Alausa, was announced by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, Esq., who described the competition as part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda, under the pillar of Entertainment and Tourism.
“This is not just about art as decoration,” she said. “It is about storytelling, heritage preservation, and innovation. Through this competition, our young people will express their ideas, aspirations, and creativity while safeguarding the cultural wealth of Lagos State.”
Ayinde-Marshal explained that the initiative is tailored to empower young Lagosians with skills for entrepreneurship, career development, and participation in the fast-growing global creative economy. She further announced the opening of the competition’s registration portal — www.ekoschoolsartsandcrafts.com — exclusively for students in Lagos secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
Encouraging participation, she called on parents, teachers, guardians, and school administrators to support their students, while also urging the media to amplify the initiative. She revealed that winners will benefit from mentorship, exhibitions, and potential collaborations within the creative industry.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Taoreed Dosunmu, praised the competition as a timely move to harness the ingenuity of Lagos youths.
According to Bajulaiye, “This initiative is not just about celebrating talent; it is about building a pipeline of creative thinkers, innovators, and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of our state and nation.”
He added that the Ministry remains committed to providing platforms that highlight Lagos’ creative brilliance while strengthening partnerships with stakeholders in the cultural and creative sectors.
With this maiden edition, Lagos sets the stage to cement its reputation as Africa’s cultural and creative hub, while investing in the next generation of innovators and storytellers.
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