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By Lukman Olabiyi
The Lagos State Government has restated its commitment to nurturing young artistic talent and developing the state’s creative industry through targeted initiatives and youth empowerment programmes.
This reaffirmation came at the grand finale of the 2025 EKO Schools Arts & Crafts Competition, themed “My Lagos, My Art.”
The event, which showcased outstanding creativity among students, saw nine winners from secondary and tertiary institutions receive scholarships and special recognition from the state government.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, described the competition as “a movement of discovery, innovation, and cultural preservation.”
He noted that the initiative was designed to identify and celebrate young creatives whose works tell the Lagos story while contributing to the state’s vibrant and growing creative economy.
“When we flagged off this initiative a few weeks ago, our goal was to spotlight young, gifted individuals whose artistic expressions reflect the vibrant spirit of Lagos. I am proud to say that the overwhelming response — 153 entries from students across the state surpassed our expectations,” Ayinde-Marshal said.
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According to her, the competition serves as a bridge between classroom learning and real-world creative enterprise, helping young artists refine their skills and gain wider exposure.
Entries were assessed by a panel of professionals based on creativity, originality, technical skill, thematic relevance, material use, presentation, and overall impact.
One of the judges, Dr. Fola David, praised the participants for their ingenuity and professionalism.
“We considered not only the materials used: paper, wood, and renewable materials but also the stories behind each artwork. The creativity and innovation displayed were truly impressive. Presentation and packaging were also key factors in determining the winners,”he said.
David commended all participants for demonstrating exceptional potential and artistic flair, emphasizing that the competition reflects the immense creative talent thriving among Lagos youths.
