Follow Us on Google
By Kehinde Aderemi
For the second year running, Nollywood actress, film maker and producer, Funke Akindele, has made yet another great impact in the creative industry with the second edition of the annual “Creative Blueprint 2.0 Masterclass”.
The event, held recently at the Landmark event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together prominent dignitaries in the creative industry, even as young ladies- ages between 18 and 35, gathered at the event to learn, explore and build a future that could endure for a long time in the industry.
The event also created opportunity for all the attendees to start their journey of discovery and transformation from aspiring creative arts to professionals that are ready to take their rightful place in an increasingly competitive global industry.
The Creative Blueprint 2.0 Masterclass was the second edition, but it also created an enduring bond between convener, Funke Akindele and more than 10,000 young ladies that were present at the event and several millions other admirers that watched the event online.
In her remarks, Akindele expressed joy that the event was able to achieve results with the huge attendance of ladies from all walks of life, who she said, gathered in one room and for a common goal.
She thanked the event’s sponsors, Wema Bank, Woodhall Capital, Red Brick PR, Dano Milk, among others.
“This is the second edition of the masterclass. When we started last year, the vision was for the event to be an absolute eye- opener for women who are ready to take their places and maximise opportunities in the creative ecosystem.
“The feedback and testimonials from last year were mind-blowing and it reinforced my vision; to create the next generation of female leaders in the global creative space.
“This year, we have invested more time and resources to make this event bigger, better and more intellectually rewarding. This is evident from our line-up of speakers and panellists. We have worked tirelessly to bring together powerful women who have shattered the glass ceilings and have built sterling careers in sectors across music, film, fashion, tech and much more.
“I am certain that this masterclass will shape someone’s tomorrow. The Creative Blueprint is very personal to me. It comes from reflecting on my journey, the things I had to figure out on my own, and the kind of guidance I wish I had access to earlier. There was no clear path, and there were a lot of uncertainties, but I have learned that growth doesn’t happen by chance, it is something you build intentionally.
“This platform exists to create a space where knowledge is shared, experiences are passed on, and opportunities are opened. The theme for this year:“Giving Today,Gaining Tomorrow” truly captures what this moment is about.
“What you invest in yourself today, your time, your focus, your willingness to learn will shape who you become tomorrow. So, today is not just about listening, it’s about learning, engaging, asking questions and taking something meaningful away that you can apply to your journey,” she stated.
Akindele also paid glowing tributes to speakers, panellists and moderators, including Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, Tara Durotoye, Jennifer Awirigwe (Financial Jennifer), Tobi Ayeni (Miss Techy), Bisola Aiyeola, Osas Ighodaro, Niniola, Jade Osiberu, Ruth Kadiri, Rima Tahini-Ighodaro Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi (Gbemi O), Ijeoma Balogun, Ladun Awobokun, Yemisi Odusanya (Sisi Yemmie), Amadou Elizabeth (Jarvis), among others.
President of Woodhall Capital, Mojisola Hunponu-Wusu, spoke on the topic:” The Power of Mentorship”, focusing on how women build wealth, influence and opportunity.
Hunponu-Wusu said mentorship is infrastructure likened to how access is transferred, how confidence is built, and how opportunity becomes tangible.
The Woodhall Capital boss spoke about her personal experience, including how she navigated corporate challenges, overcame scepticism, and build a global financial institution.
Other News
According to her, mentorship is not just about guidance but about preparation, protection and positioning.
“A mentor prepares you for the day of attack. They see beyond where you are and speak into where you are going,” she said.
She stated also that success is rarely achieved in isolation, highlighting the success story of her company that started barely 12 years ago and now providing financial services to banks, individuals and corporates, with offices in Lagos, London, Abuja and Dubai.
The event was climaxed with a panel session, with Osas Ighodaro, Ruth Kadiri, Jade Osiberu, Bisola Aiyeola and Ladun Awobokun, among others. The session also featured an impressive roster of notable actresses, filmmakers and film business experts.
Aiyeola, a reality TV star turned actress moderated. The panel had the overriding topic: Women Creating Opportunities in Film.
In her remarks, Jade Osiberu urged young and aspiring actors and filmmakers to start where they are, be it in church, in their neighbourhood or social media and also showcase what they have done. She also emphasised the importance of good mentorship, even as she narrated her personal experience while trying to secure a loan from the Bank of Industry.
In her view, Osas Ighodaro also spoke on how being disciplined had helped her build a sustainable career beyond talent.
“I don’t want to disappoint myself. I don’t want to disappoint my God. So I ensured I have the discipline, the tenacity and the determination to power forward. That’s the start of it all for me when it comes to building a career.”
Also for Ruth Kadiri, the opportunity to listen and hear other women, including those in other sectors talk about challenges made her realise that a lot of successful women have something in common- their courage and ability to summon the extra determination to overcome the barriers.
“When I heard ‘don’t take the lift, take the stairs,’ that hit me and I’m like: this is what I’ve been trying to say to young women around me. It just means there was no easy way out for anybody. It wasn’t easy for me, but regardless, there’s energy when you are able to eventually take the steps as a woman.”
Jennifer Awirigwe spoke on the topic: Making Your Money Work for You.
According to her, a paltry 2.9 per cent women participate in the capital market in Nigeria, with the enormous promises of financial freedom on offer through capital market and other assets. This, she said makes her sad.
“I know why this is so interesting, we work so hard for this money, but your money has the opportunity to work harder than you could ever, and that’s what investment does for us now. Investing in the stock market and there are so many platforms to help you do that.”
Radio personality and former Programmes Director at Beat FM, Gbemi Olateru -Olagbegi, moderated the encounter on Women in Music and entitled, Music: More Than Talent. It was another inspiring moment of honest conversations and key insights featuring Niniola and Rima Tahini-Ighodaro, Senior VP A&R & Creatives at Mavin Global/Kupanda Capital.
With the success of this year’s event, Funke Akindele’s message was clear- and that is: Intentional effort is very important in anything one does in life.
“This is my own way of giving back, the more you succeed, you have to pass the baton of knowledge to the younger generation. So, I feel I didn’t experience or enjoy this, I need to create a platform for the voices of the younger ones to be heard.”
