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Tag: Commissioner for Tourism

  • Lafarge Africa Restores Historic Independence Obelisk, Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainability

    Lafarge Africa Restores Historic Independence Obelisk, Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainability

    Lafarge Africa Plc, a leading innovative and sustainable building solutions company and manufacturers of a range of cement brands, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability demonstrated by the rehabilitation and preservation of a cultural and historical heritage – the Independence Memorial Obelisk at the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

    The rehabilitation focused on structural strengthening, aesthetic renewal, accessibility upgrades, and restoration of symbolic carvings and historical inscriptions, while preserving the monument’s original design and significance.

    Speaking during the unveiling ceremony, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Lafarge Africa Plc, Lolu Alade-Akinyemi, noted that the rehabilitation of the Independence Memorial Obelisk reflects the company’s contribution to Nigeria’s infrastructure renewal through sustainable building practices.

    Alade-Akinyemi explained that the project also demonstrates Lafarge’s commitment to sustainability, as the renovation incorporates the use of Ecoplanet Elephant, its eco-friendly cement solution that delivers structural durability with at least 30% fewer carbon emissions, underscoring the company’s ambition to build for the future without compromising environmental responsibility.

    “At Lafarge Africa, we remain committed to contributing to Nigeria’s development through projects that promote history, sustainability, and better living for future generations. We are deeply honoured to play a role in preserving this national treasure. The Independence Memorial Obelisk represents a defining moment in our country’s history, and ensuring its longevity is not just an investment in infrastructure, but an investment in identity, memory, and national pride,” he said.

    Also speaking at the event, Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, MFR noted that preserving historical assets like the Obelisk is essential to nurturing a culturally aware nation, particularly now that Nigeria is placing greater focus on the intersection of history, innovation, and sustainable development.

    Oduwole, commending Lafarge Africa for its commitment to safeguarding historical monuments while supporting national development, noted that, “Lafarge’s unwavering commitment to Nigeria is undeniable. The Obelisk stands as a powerful symbol of our nation’s hope and optimism. As Nigeria’s story continues to evolve and rise, we must all embrace the responsibility to build with intentionality, pride, and a deep respect for our heritage,” she said.

    In his speech, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu represented by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, stated, “The Obelisk stands as a powerful symbol of heritage and sustained development—reflecting the strength of our diversity and the enduring hope of the Nigerian people. It embodies the values of unity, peace, progress, and nationhood, while enhancing cultural preservation and boosting tourism. We commend Lafarge Africa for making this vision a reality.”

    In her remarks, the Managing Director, Tafawa Balewa Square Management Board, Lucia Shittu said, “The Obelisk, standing proudly within the 14.6-hectare expanse of Tafawa Balewa Square, is more than a monument, it is a living testament to Nigeria’s journey toward independence and democracy. As the site where the Union Jack was lowered, it holds deep historical significance and continues to inspire national pride and reflection.”

    Other dignitaries at the event include the Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade and Investment, Senator Umar Suleiman Sadiq; Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Commerce, Honourable Ahmed Munir; Honourable Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment (CCT&l), Lagos State, Mrs Folashade Bada Ambrose; Independent Non-Executive Director, Lafarga Africa PLC, Mrs. Adenike Ogunlesi; President and Chairman of the Council, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr Gabriel Idahosa, FCA; Vice President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prince Abimbola Olashore, FCA; Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Chinyere Almona, FCA among others.

  • LASG to hold Groundbreaking of $100M Lagos Film City on Wednesday

    LASG to hold Groundbreaking of $100M Lagos Film City on Wednesday

    All is set for the construction of the Lagos Film City – one of the Legacy Projects of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration.

    The groundbreaking of the $100m project has been scheduled for Wednesday in Ikosi Ejinrin, Lagos East Senatorial District.

    Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka broke the news at the weekend, saying the approval for the groundbreaking shows that Lagos will witness bigger projects in Mr. Sanwo-Olu’s second term.

    The proposed Lagos Film City, which promises to be the biggest in Africa, will sit on 100 hectares of land. It will be a major boost for the creative industry, which has the potential to offer jobs to thousands of our youths. The project will be financed by Private Public Partnership (PPP).

    “It will serve as an all-in-one facility – with leisure, entertainment, and learning infrastructure. It will also have accommodations and numerous state-of-the-art studios to support television, radio and film, ranging from pre-production, production, post-production and distribution, among others.

    Benson-Awoyinka averred that the Lagos State Government is committed to investing in this project, which is kicking off with the groundbreaking event, under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism Arts And Culture.

    She noted that the Lagos Film City is poised to make Lagos state even more prosperous and unique, adding that the state government will not rest on its oars of past achievements but will instead make the tourism and entertainment industry more vibrant.

    The Lagos Film City project, alongside the creative training partnership initiatives of the state government with the likes of EbonyLife Academy, Delyork, and Ogidi Studios, among others, will make Lagos State remain a force to reckon with in the entertainment and creative industry across the globe.

    Gbenga Omotoso
    Commissioner, Information and Strategy

  • Rite Foods Partners Sterling One Foundation to mark World Recycling Day

    Rite Foods Partners Sterling One Foundation to mark World Recycling Day

    Every year, people all over the world produces a shocking amount of waste, the majority of which are dumped in landfills. Only about 13% of this waste is recycled on the global level.

    In line with its commitment to saving the environment by reducing high rates of plastic pollution and wastes, Rite Foods Limited, Nigeria’s leading manufacturer of refreshing carbonated beverages, Bigi drinks, Fearless energy drink, Rite and Bigi sausages, over the weekend partnered with Sterling One Foundation on World Recycling Day 2022 to free Oniru Beach in the Eti-Osa Local Government area of Lagos State of bottles of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), plastics and solid waste.

    Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director, Rite Foods Limited, restated his company’s commitment to a healthier and cleaner environment free of plastics and all forms of waste, in commemoration of the World Recycling Day 2022. According to him, “At Rite Foods Ltd, we are committed to reducing negative environmental impact, exchange knowledge and ideas on environmental growth while sharing expertise and experiences towards adapting to the ever-changing world,” he stated.

    The Global Recycling Day 2022 is themed “Recycling fraternity” – and focuses on those who put themselves on the frontline to collect waste and recycling during the multiple lockdowns in the COVID-19 era. It is observed every year on the 18th of March to recognize the importance of recycling as a resource, not waste. The Global Recycling Day is a day to raise awareness of the importance recycling plays in preserving our primary resources and securing the future of our planet. The day strives to urge world leaders that recycling must be a global issue and encourage people to think resourcefully and not waste when it comes to the goods around us.

    Olapeju Ibekwe, Convener, Sterling One Foundation commended Rite Foods Limited for supporting the initiative and taking issues of environmental protection and sustainability seriously. “We must commend Rite Foods especially for being the very first sponsor to come on board this initiative to help make our environment safe and free of all forms of wastes and plastics,” she said at the event in Lagos.

    Also speaking at the event, Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Lagos State, urged all stakeholders to emulate Rite Foods Ltd by taking issues of the environment seriously, while also imploring residents of the State to take responsibility in keeping their environment clean.

    Other dignitaries present at the event includes His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdulwasiu Omogbolahan Lawal, Oniru of Iruland, represented by the white cap Chiefs and Baales of Iruland, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Tunji Bello; British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones and officials of Lagos State environmental agencies.

    Since the advent of Rite Foods Ltd, the company has been tracking and reporting its progress towards numerous set goals in aiding nationwide achievement objectives for Environmental Sustainability by focusing on cultivating a positive impact on the environment and improving its areas of operation.

  • Sanwo-Olu wants Creative Trainees to be Globally Competitive

    Sanwo-Olu wants Creative Trainees to be Globally Competitive

    …Unveils Creative Lagos under DelYork Academy

    Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has said that his administration is giving a cutting-edge opportunity to practitioners in the creative sector to compete favourably with their contemporaries across the globe in the area of directing, cinematography, acting and in all the processes of film production from script to screen.

    The Governor who addressed a set of creative trainees sponsored by his administration with Del-York Academy on Tuesday in Lagos, explained that the investment in human capacity development of practitioners in the creative sector by his administration is aimed at giving the beneficiaries world-class exposure in the creative field.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu said; “We will give you the opportunity that will make you be what you want to be and I believe this will put Lagos and Nigeria in that International space where even players in the international world will look out for you.”

    While expressing excitement with the partnership with DelYork Academy, Governor Sanwo-Olu who joined the event virtually, averred that Delyork Academy, run by Mr. Linus Idahosa presented a compelling need for the partnership, being a serious-minded organization that have put together a first class faculty for the students.

    He stated that “I am convinced that this is a journey that all of you will appreciate and a journey that will open up the entire world unto your palms, a journey that will make you a global competitive professional in the creative industry.”

    The Governor used the event to inform that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture would also be launching some other products that will help the Creative, Entertainment and Tourism side of the industry in addition to other ongoing support for practitioners in the sector.

    Sanwo-Olu assured the trainees that he would be checking on them to examine the training sessions and to be assured that the content they are being exposed to will indeed give them the space to become a global player in the world.

    The Governor said, “We will give you the opportunity to make you be what you want to be and I believe this will make Lagos and Nigeria in that International space where even players in the international world will look out for you.

    “I plead you take it very seriously so that after your training, others will also be beneficiaries to the training and begin to build a robust ecosystem that we will all be proud of.

    The Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile Yussuf, in her remarks at the event, lamented that too many African-themed movies are shot outside of the continent, outside the reach of the African themselves who should be the primary beneficiaries of the attendant economics of these productions.

    She explained that the rationale behind the Lagos State Creative Industry Initiative (LACI), a concept initiated by the Ministry, is to make Lagos; Africa’s entertainment & creative industry capital and to ensure it takes its place in the African continent as the undisputed Centre for outsourcing creative talent into the global entertainment industry talent pool.

    In her words, “The real Lagos has more than enough stories to tell, enough sites and people to feature in these movies without any fear of cultural misrepresentation and or appropriation!

    “To bring this vision of domesticating these revenues into our local economy to fruition, our young people who will courageously lead us into the future must first be intentionally equipped with modern know-how, techniques, and the technology learning tools to ensure they can carry the mantle and deliver on this important objective.”

    Akinbile-Yussuf, enjoined the trainees of the Creative Lagos program to not only see themselves as participants in another training course but as ambassadors of the long-term vision of Lagos, knowing that their success is inextricably tied to that of Lagos.

    Earlier, the President of DelYork Academy, Linus Idahosa, lauded the vision of the present administration for investing in the creative sector, saying that the Governor is a forward thinking Governor and very futuristic in his administration.

    He said, “we believe that Lagos State can become the human capital and base for creative industry across the country and we believe that the seed have been sown among the students who are being sponsored today.

    “So on behalf of Del-York academy, on behalf of all the people in Del-York crew, we want to say a very big thank you to the entire members of the Lagos State Government and most importantly the Honorable Commissioner of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and we want to say a very big thank you for supporting this initiative.”

    One of the beneficiaries who gave testimonial at the event, Deji Olatunde, described the gesture of the State Government of accessing a world class international training here in Nigeria for zero naira amidst the pandemic as a rare privilege. Deji Olatunde said ” we believe this is not just a pivotal point but history in the making, because we know Nigerians are very creative but no formal structured training was in place.

    “This initiative gives us the opportunity to interact with world-class people, it also gives us a way to structure our thinking to put forth materials to change the narrative in a way to link up with the world-class.

    He pleaded with the government to put a law in place to ensure that the initiative continues and transcends the present administration. This, according to him, is the way through which Lagos can become a creative capital of Nigeria and change the narrative of Africa as a whole.