By
Dolapo Ogunleye Adewumi and
Kehinde Ajayi
In response to the visionary call of Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji to Ekiti indigenes in the tourism and creative sector to invest in the state, Mr. Olasunkanmi Dada, Governor of the Theatre Arts and Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Ekiti State Chapter, has established a multi-million-naira film school in Ado-Ekiti.
The school, named Goodwill Film School, is nearing completion and is set to be inaugurated soon. The initiative represents a significant milestone in the development of the creative industry in Ekiti State, aligning with the state government’s commitment to fostering an enabling environment for innovation and youth empowerment.
During a visit to the project site, the Director General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre, commended Mr. Dada for investing in a critical aspect of the creative sector—manpower development. Barrister Ojo-Lanre remarked that the establishment of the film school would address the dearth of skilled professionals in the creative arts while creating avenues for youth engagement, capacity building, and job creation in the state.
Mr. Olasunkanmi Dada explained his decision to situate the school in Ado-Ekiti, citing the city’s potential to become a hub for creative talent and a gateway to global opportunities in film and related sectors. He emphasized that the Goodwill Film School is designed to encompass all facets of the creative arts, offering comprehensive training in acting, scriptwriting, cinematography, editing, directing, and production management.
He also applauded Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji for providing the conducive atmosphere necessary for creative tourism to thrive in Ekiti State, highlighting the governor’s visionary policies that have encouraged private sector investment in the state’s tourism and creative industries.
The Goodwill Film School promises several advantages, including:
Manpower Development: Training the next generation of filmmakers, actors, and other professionals in the creative arts.
Youth Engagement: Offering an avenue for skill acquisition, entrepreneurship, and employment for Ekiti youths.
Boosting the Local Economy: Creating jobs and attracting investments to Ado-Ekiti.
Positioning Ekiti as a Creative Hub: Elevating the state’s profile in Nigeria’s thriving film and entertainment industry.
With the completion of the Goodwill Film School, Ekiti State is poised to emerge as a powerhouse for creative talent, contributing to the growth of Nigeria’s cultural tourism sector.
…… Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development Media Unit
