The Ebonylife Creative Academy (ELCA) celebrated the successful completion of its second intake for the 2023 year with a graduation ceremony on Friday, July 7th at the Academy’s subsidiary, Ebonylife Place. Dignitaries from the Lagos State government, in the person of Deputy Director (Admin. & HR) Ms. Ogunlana Toyin, as well as representatives from the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, in the form of Mrs Bukola Agbaminoja Executive Secretary, were in attendance to celebrate the accomplishment.
The main event of the ceremony was the premier of short films produced by the graduating class, along with the awards and certificates awarded in recognition of their hard work and effort. Chisom Igboasia of the Screenwriting class was presented with a special recognition award for his excellence in commitment to process and self-development.
The evening was made even more special the presentation of Oluwayemisi Akingbola of the Production Design & Art Direction class with the best overall student award. The evening was a time to celebrate the class’s accomplishments and further invest and support their dreams of becoming filmmakers.
The Ebonylife Creative Academy is determined to continue to provide further education and support for students, and their graduation ceremony serves as a reminder that the school is dedicated to unearthing the next wave of talented filmmakers in Lagos and Nigeria. Congratulations to the class of 2023!
The Academy is now inviting interested students to register for its 4th intake. All courses are completely free, sponsored by the Lagos State Government and Ministry of Tourism. For more information and inquiries on the available courses and requirements, prospective students can visit the academy’s website on www.ebonylifecreativeacademy.com.
Amb Jamezany James
ECOWAS(West African) Youth Ambassador
Seasoned Nollywood/African Film Publicist,FilmPreneur,Diplomat, Project Manager/Consultant,Public Speaker
SPEECH BY
*Ms. Ogunlana Toyin*
Chairman of Lagos Creative Industry Initiative
At
The Graduation Ceremony of the 2023 2nd intake students of EbonyLife Creative Academy
I am once again pleased to address successful trainees of this capacity enhancement program under the Lagos Creative Industry Initiative , LACI . As you are aware, this training is fully sponsored by the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and it is delivered by one of the best academies in the creative sector, Ebonylife Creative Academy .
I am particularly glad that the impact of this training program since its inception had been positive, judging by the testimonials of several beneficiaries that were past trainees of this initiative.
You will all recall that recently , Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his inaugural address for his second term in office, expanded the scope of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda to THEMESPLUS, where he announced three additional areas of focus, which the State Government would intensify intervention in the next four years, to include social inclusion, gender equality and youths.
It is inline with this that I am pleased to inform this gathering that the present administration in Lagos State, particularly with reference to the THEMESPLUS agenda of Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, that this training program will henceforth ensure a balance in the numbers of selected beneficiaries to reflect equality in gender of both male and female trainees.
Apart from this, a window of opportunity is now also open to Persons With Disabilities, PWDs to benefit from the various capacity enhancement programs being offered under this arrangement between Ebonylife and the Lagos State Government. The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is already in touch with Lagos State Office of Disability Affairs , LASODA to incorporate this category of persons as beneficiaries of this training.
I urge you all not to relent in your oars to break even in your various areas of focus. Do not allow the dream too change the narrative in the creative sector end here, keep making efforts to be better than what you are presently and I can assure you that the sky will just be your starting point.
Once again I am pleased to identify with you at this event and wish you success in your future endeavors.
Thank you for your attention.
Igbega Ipinle Eko, Ajumose Gbogbo Wa Ni o
hitmanuzy47 
Jaytee