By Peter Dansu The creative talents of students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Lagos State took centre stage as th...
By Peter Dansu
The creative talents of students from secondary schools and tertiary institutions across Lagos State took centre stage as the grand finale of the second edition of the Eko Schools Art and Craft Competition 2.0 held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja.
The competition, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and themed "This Is Lagos", brought together young artists from all education districts in the state who showcased their skills through diverse artistic expressions that reflected the culture, heritage, innovation and resilience of Lagos.
Addressing participants at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, expressed delight at the remarkable turnout and quality of entries received for the competition.
According to her, a total of 489 students registered for the competition, while 132 participants eventually submitted artworks from schools across the five divisions of Lagos State and various tertiary institutions.
She explained that the competition featured categories including painting, drawing, sculpture, beadwork, textile design, leatherwork, digital art and upcycling.
Mrs. Oyekan-Ismaila commended all participants for their creativity, noting that every artwork presented a unique story of imagination, dedication, hard work and passion.
She said the theme challenged students to creatively interpret the identity and spirit of Lagos, adding that the artworks on display successfully captured the state's rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, entrepreneurial drive and commitment to sustainability.
"The artworks on display today beautifully capture the essence of Lagos. These outstanding creations demonstrate that our young minds not only appreciate our cultural values but also possess the creativity and vision needed to shape a brighter future," she said.
The Permanent Secretary also appreciated the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for its continued support for arts education, skills development, mentorship programmes and youth-focused initiatives. She further acknowledged the contributions of former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Damilola Ayinde Marsha, for conceiving the initiative.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu, described the competition as a major opportunity for young people to showcase their God-given talents.
He praised the participants for the quality of their works, describing them as gifted artists and future leaders in the creative industry.
Bonu noted that many young talents never receive opportunities to display their abilities, stressing that platforms such as the Eko Schools Art and Craft Competition help students gain visibility and confidence in their creative pursuits.
He encouraged all participants, especially those who did not emerge winners, to continue developing their talents and making their works visible to the world.
The event climaxed with the presentation of awards and government scholarships to nine outstanding students who emerged winners across the tertiary, senior secondary and junior secondary categories.
In the tertiary category, Goodness Popoola of Lagos State University of Education emerged first, while Abdul Rahman Saheed of Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Boton Aina Samuel of Lagos State University of Education came second and third respectively.
For the senior secondary category, Ajayi Pascal Maugbe of Methodist Senior High School secured first position, followed by Makinde Opeyemi Abraham of Millennium Senior Secondary School and Akinola Oluwatobi of Sango Senior Secondary School.
In the junior secondary category, Mufutau Aishat Opeyemi of Clegg Girls Junior High School emerged winner, while Orungbamila Oluwalonimi Esther of Ikotun Junior High School and Saheed Khadijat Remilekun of Community Junior Grammar School, Akowonjo, finished second and third respectively.
The competition once again highlighted Lagos State's commitment to nurturing young talents and promoting creativity as a vital tool for cultural preservation, innovation and economic development.
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