Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, performed the groundbreaking of the $100million film city cited in Ejirin, Epe Local Government area of the state, saying that the proposed Lagos Film City would amplify the voices of the country’s diverse communities and showcase the industry on a global scale.
Sanwo-Olu stated this while speaking at the event, pointing out that the film city covering a land area of 100 hectares of land tagged: “Lagos Film City,” which is proposed to be the biggest in Africa, would enhance the economic growth and cultural development of Lagos State.
The project is a Private Public Partnership towards creating a thriving and vibrant film industry that will captivate audiences worldwide.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while noting that his administration had, with the move, embarked on a journey that would redefine the landscape of the film industry in Lagos State, said that the film city would “be a testament to our commitment to nurturing the arts and supporting the dreams of aspiring filmmakers, actors, and technicians.”
According to the governor, the film industry has the power to transcend boundaries and bring people together, saying that it has the ability to inspire, entertain, and educate besides creating “numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment.”
“Through the magic of cinema, we can showcase the rich cultural heritage of Lagos State, tell stories that reflect our shared experiences, and amplify the voices of our diverse communities. This film city will serve as a canvas for these stories, providing a platform for our talented artists to shine on both local and global stages.
“Furthermore, the First Film City in Lagos State will create numerous job opportunities, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment. It will be a hub for film production, post-production, visual effects, and all the ancillary services that support the filmmaking process. We envision a film city that is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, sound stages, editing suites, production offices, and everything necessary to bring the magic of the silver screen to life,”‘ the governor stated.
“But this film city is not just about bricks and mortar. It is about the people who will walk through its doors and breathe life into its spaces. It is about the dreams that will be realized, the stories that will be told, and the impact that will be made. Our creative community is the beating heart of this film city, and we are committed to providing them with the resources, support, and opportunities they need to thrive,” he added.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, therefore, called on all stakeholders, including filmmakers, investors, educators, and the community at large, to join hands and contribute towards the success of this film city, saying that they should join hands with the state government “to build an ecosystem that nurtures creativity, fosters collaboration, and empowers our artists to push the boundaries of their craft.”
He equally urged the host community to give all the necessary cooperation and support to the contractors and all the people who would be working on the site to make this project a reality.
The State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, in her remark, noted that the creative, entertainment and tourism sectors had contributed exponentially to all economies that took decisive steps to court and nurture it, saying that justified the step being taken by the government at the occasion.
“The Lagos State government has been deliberate in its various steps in this sector, it has committed huge sums to upscale the various tourist centres across the state. For this year 2023, a total amount of N4.635 billion was specifically allocated for this purpose,” the commissioner said.
Speaking on behalf of the host community, His Royal Highness, Oba Rafiu Ishola Babatunde Balogun, expressed joy over the choice of the state government to site the Film City in Ejirin, saying he would ever be grateful for Governor Sanwo-Olu’s “magnanimity after a long waiting.”
The royal father, however, appealed to the governor to dualize the road that leads to the proposed City, adding: “A lot of opportunities we lost after the European days but today we have different stories to tell.”
