Lagos Governor promises to invest more in creative industry

The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu says his government will continue to prioritize the development of creative industry as well as entertainment and tourism in the State.

The Governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the actualisation of the six pillars of development tagged T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda for Greater Lagos.

Speaking at a formal handover ceremony of the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos Island, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured Lagosians that his administration would protect and preserve the real identity of Lagos through tourism, art and culture.

According to the Governor, the remodelling of Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos Island reflects the determination of his administration to rebuild Lagos as well as promote the entertainment and tourism Sector.

He said the completion and formal commissioning of the Memorial Hall reflects the government’s determination to rebuild Lagos, revamp historic-public assets and also develop the Entertainment, Creative, and Tourism Sector.

“Our administration is mindful of the fact that the tourism and entertainment sector is an integral part of socio-economic development, and the overall wellbeing of our citizens, which is why this sector will not be neglected in our drive to make Lagos a megacity. We are committed to innovatively seek ways of providing the enabling environment for the tourism and entertainment sector to thrive.

“Today’s event signals a gradual return of activities within the tourism and entertainment sector. It is a boost for our creative practitioners and entertainers as well as the necessary catalyst for economic growth because if we properly harness our human and capital resources, tourism and entertainment will become major contributors to socio-economic growth and development.

“I assure you that the remodeled Glover Memorial Hall will not only boost activities in the entertainment and creative sector, it will also restore the glorious days when it served as a relaxation point for Lagosians including those who live and work on the Island. It is a testament to a splendid past and an indicator of a more glorious future in which Lagosians have the jobs and opportunities that they require to flourish. On our part, we will not relent in fostering collaborative investments for the advancement of our shared prosperity,” he said.

Post Covid era

The Governor said his administration has initiated several deliberate efforts and interventions to ensure that creative practitioners are able to find their feet in the Post COVID-19 era.

He said: “We have disbursed One Billion Naira (N1billion) to practitioners in the tourism, hospitality and entertainment sector as a financial stimulus to get the sector moving again and to overcome the challenges caused by the pandemic.

“In addition, I recently approved the training of 1,480 aspiring creative practitioners who are desirous of gaining world-class skills and career advancement. This initiative is in line with two of the development pillars of our T.H.E.M.E.S agenda: Education and Technology; as well as Entertainment and Tourism. It is also a deliberate step to make world-class training available to practitioners in the Nigerian Creative Industry.

“As I speak, about 1,500 creative practitioners have been scheduled for both physical and online training under a public-private partnership initiative geared towards empowering our people for inclusive growth, economic liberation, and the overall improvement of the lives of our people. Lagos State is blessed with brilliant, dynamic, and creative practitioners who are indispensable to our growth agenda; we will ensure that their talents are not wasted.”

Pursuing agenda

Speaking earlier, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. (Mrs) Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the commissioning of the remodelled Glover Memorial Hall is a testimonial to the commitment of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration to pursue all the six developmental agenda of the Government.

She said the restored Glover Hall was a boost for the fifth pillar of the Greater Lagos agenda, which is “Entertainment and Tourism.”

According to her “Sir John Glover having been instrumental to many developments especially within Lagos metropolis, was honoured with the establishment of the Glover Memorial Hall for various social and entertainment events.

“As a way of demonstrating his love for this very important industry, Governor Sanwo-Olu did not just ensure the completion of this memorial hall but also approved the inclusion of some modern-day innovations that would make this edifice to be of international standard.”

She commend the Governor for the support and provision of an improved system and commendable feature of this restored Glover Memorial Hall.

Others who spoke at the event commended the State government for ensuring the creative sector received a boost after a temporary shutdown as a result of the global pandemic.

They also called on the Federal Government to assist Lagos State and implored Lagosians to come together to make the State great again.

Historical background

The foundation stone of the first Glover Hall was laid in 1887 on a piece of land that was donated by the legendary trader and activist Madam Efunroye Tinubu as a memorial to the works of Sir John Hawley Glover, who was the Governor of the Colony of Lagos from 1864 – 1872.

In 1961 an agreement was reached with Messrs. G. Cappa to demolish the old Hall, which was situated on the Marina, where the Union Bank Plaza now stands and construct a new one. This present building was erected in 1962. During those years, Glover Memorial Hall was the centre of activities in Lagos.

The first meeting of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce, at the end of the 19th Century was held in this Hall.

In 1924, the Hall hosted the National Council of British West Africa, attended by L. B. du Bois. Also, the renowned black freedom fighter, Prince Edward of Wales was hosted in Glover Hall when he visited Nigeria in 1925.

Glover Hall had also served as venue for hosting notable Nigerians. Specifically, late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the first indigenous Governor-General of Nigeria was once hosted in the Hall.

In the area of culture and entertainment in the decades past, Glover Hall was then the only place to watch Hollywood films, including epics like Cecil B., de Mille’s “Ten Commandments”; and classics like “Gone with the Wind”.

The Hall also played a significant role in the promotion of theatre groups like those of Hubert Ogunde and Duro Ladipo. It served as a place that nurtured many artistes to stardom. Some of these include Moses Olaiya, popularly called “Baba Sala”, Segun Narset, George Ogunde and Eddy Ugbomah.

 

 

 

 

Emmanuel Ukoh