Ministerial Press Briefing: Tourism Commissioner Announces Entries For African Music Next Talent Hunt

Yomi Durojaye 

 

 In a major boost to Africa’s creative economy, the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture through the Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC) has announced the official call for entries for the African Music Next Talent Hunt, a groundbreaking initiative to identify and elevate emerging music stars across the continent. 

(M) Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture, Mrs. Toke-Benson Awoyinka

The initiative, which reflects Lagos’ position as a cultural capital of Africa, aims to offer mentorship, global exposure, and career-building opportunities to young creatives in partnership with top international music labels like Empire.

The Commissioner for the Ministry, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka made this disclosure on Wednesday while addressing members of the Press at this year's Ministerial Press Briefing commemorating the sixth year in office of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in Ikeja. 

Speaking on the initiative, the Commissioner said : “This is not just about performance, it is about equipping our youth with the right tools, access, and platform to succeed in today’s global music industry. 

“Through African Music Next, we are deepening Lagos' legacy as the heartbeat of African sound and innovation. With the launch of the African Music Next Talent Hunt, LSCAC has made a bold statement about its future direction of using innovation to elevate African creativity to the global stage."

Benson-Awoyinka added that the talent development program is designed to provide world-class training and visibility, with a commitment to nurturing homegrown talent capable of making a global impact. Interested participants are invited to visit https://africanmusicnext.com to submit entries.

In its continued effort to promote youth involvement in culture, the Commissioner revealed that Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture hosted the 2024 Cultural Quiz Competition for secondary schools, with Oke Odo Senior High School emerging victorious. 

"This was followed by a prestigious moment at NAFEST 2024, where Omobolanle Akanji of Dansol High School received the Second-Place Award in the national essay writing competition, bringing pride to Lagos once again.

" As part of its community outreach and heritage promotion efforts, the Council also celebrated events such as World Theatre Day, World Asa Day, World Isese Day, and World Dance Day, with each occasion spotlighting Lagos’ cultural depth and diversity. Notably, the Miniature Arts Exhibition held at Freedom Park showcased the creativity of contemporary Nigerian artists and reinforced the accessibility of visual arts."

Greater Lagos Fiesta will discover, nurture Talents – Tourism Commissioner

….Olamide, Zlatan, Niniola, Patoranking Other Top Artistes Billed To Perform

...Event To Hold Simultaneously For 5 Days In Five Locations

AgegePulse Magazine

The Lagos State Government, in furtherance of its commitment to boost tourism and entertainment, is set to hold the 2019 ‘Greater Lagos’ fiesta in a grand style.

Addressing reporters on Monday, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Shulamite Olufunke Adebolu, stated that the 2019 celebration has additional features that will help to discover and nurture talented performers to become celebrated stars across the country.

The event, usually celebrated annually is an entertainment funfair highlighting the State's rich talents reservoir and promoting the relevance of entertainment and tourism as a major driver of the State’s economy.

According to the Commissioner: “This year, Greater Lagos Fiesta is more than a show, it is all encompassing. That is the reason we want to cement our position as Lagos being the absolute place for top-notch entertainment and tourism in Africa. For the first time on the continent of Africa, we are going to be experiencing a proper show that can rival any show in Dubai, the United States and the United Kingdom.

“In addition to that, it is very critical to understand and nurture the talents we have in Lagos State. Many international artistes that are up for Grammy Awards are home grown talents. To this end, the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration realises that there is need for a platform for our talents to thrive.

“This year, we have injected some addition to the formula on ground whereby Lagos actually identifies a talent, nurtures and grows the talent to become the future stars.”

The show, which will hold from 25th to 31st of December, was described as a family event where everybody is expected to attend with members of their family.

She announced that the show will hold in five locations simultaneously and two winners that will contest at the Grand Finale will emerge from each of the five locations.

She said: “Across the five Ibile Zones – the locations where these events will be holding, there will be competition such as talent hunt. There will be two last contenders in each of the five zones that will contest at the venue of the Grand Finale at Eko Atlantic City. We will ensure that by 2021, these artistes will perform as big shots in the country.

“The bottom line is to engross us with the culture, talent and diversity of Lagos. We are diverse and we need an avenue to display it. Mr. Governor is offering it this year, taking the greater Lagos platform to another level.”

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, assured that the issue of insecurity would not be a barrier noting that Lagosians have nothing to fear while attending the shows.

“It is not the kind of show you will be afraid to attend or take your kids and family members to. There is no room for negativity at the shows.

“I want to also reaffirm that it is going to be a show like never before because it is well planned. New stars that will go into the shoes of the already established stars in the country will be discovered,” he said.

He further explained that entertainment is the big game changer in the economy.

Notable artistes like Olamide, Naira Marley, Zlatan, Patoranking, Niniola are expected to perform at the events. In addition, popular artistes in each locality of the Ibile would be allowed to perform.