Vibrant colours, imagination and ingenuity of Lagos students took centre stage at the grand finale of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition, as nine young artists emerged as winners of the competition organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
The competition, championed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, was convened to celebrate the state’s next generation of creative champions.
Delivering the keynote remarks, Ayinde-Marshal described the initiative as “a movement of discovery, innovation, and cultural preservation,” rather than just a contest.
“In our journey to celebrate, empower, and showcase the next generation of Lagos creative champions, our goal was clear: to identify young gifted individuals whose artistic expressions could tell the story of Lagos, shape the future of our creative economy, and inspire others to embrace their talents,” she said.
According to Ayinde-Marshal, the competition received 153 entries from students across secondary and tertiary institutions, surpassing expectations and reflecting the “courage, imagination, and vibrant spirit of Lagos youth.”
She attributed the success of the initiative to the visionary leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, whose T.H.E.M.E.S Plus agenda, particularly its fifth pillar on entertainment and tourism, continues to drive the state’s creative policies.
“Mr. Governor understands that a city that celebrates creativity is a city that grows in innovation, identity, and economic prosperity. That is why initiatives such as these are essential they help us harness the potential of our young people and give them a platform to shine,” she said.
She urged the young participants to see themselves as winners regardless of outcome: “You have dared to dream, to create, and to express yourselves. The future belongs to those who can imagine and innovate — and Lagos State will always support you on that journey.”
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tertiary Education, Mr. Adeniran Kasali, described the competition as an essential platform for nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, the key skills required to thrive in the 21st century.
“For us to excel and contribute meaningfully to our environment, we must possess certain qualities, and one of them is creativity,” Kasali said.
He stressed that programmes like the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition are vital for developing creative minds, adding that “the 21st century is about creativity and innovation, and this initiative exposes students to that reality.”
Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Bonu, commended Ayinde-Marshal and the Ministry for providing a platform that encourages youth participation in the creative sector.
He noted that beyond oil, Nigeria’s next major economic frontier lies in entertainment and the arts.
“Aside from oil, the next spinning sectors are entertainment, arts, and creative industries,” he said. “By creating a platform like My Lagos, My Art, you are preparing these young people for the future.”
Bonu expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu for supporting such youth-oriented programmes and assured continued legislative backing for initiatives that promote creativity and cultural development.
Earlier, one of the judges, Dr. Fola David, commended the exceptional quality of submissions, noting that each work reflected effort, originality, and passion.
“This is not just a programme; it’s a celebration of your efforts,” he told the participants. “We received many impressive entries, and it wasn’t an easy task to judge. The diversity of materials from beads, papier-mâché, and woodwork to acrylic and oil paintings showed remarkable creativity.”
Dr. David revealed that the judging process considered several factors, including the materials used, relevance to the theme ‘My Lagos, My Art’, the story behind each artwork, and the quality of the submissions.
Winners received recognition and scholarship awards to further develop their artistic journeys. They are Israel Adedoyin from Government Junior Model College, Ikorodu (Crochet work), Jubril Kolawole from Ikorodu Junior Grammar School( Tie and Dye) and Desmond Awatefe from Tobvic College, Badagry ( Coconut shell crafts) in the junior category.
In the senior secondary category are Alexis Aghenta from Sqaure College, Lekki( Bead Work), Usa Pascal from Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba (Painting), and Owolewa Mariam from Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu (Bead Work).
For the Tertiary category, Goodness Popoola (Painting and Craft) and Alaba Paul (Wood Work) from Lagos State University of Education, Oto-Ijanikin and Azeez Aderibigbe from Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu (Painting).