![\"Lagos](\"https:\/\/akinwunmiambode.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/PIX-8320.jpg\")
He said, \u201cIf we are going to beat recession, the real future of Lagos and Nigeria is what you have seen tonight and that\u2019s where we are going.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a situation where we have been unable to tap the energy in creative arts, I can tell you for free that the real future of Lagos and the economy generally in Nigeria is in the creative arts, entertainment and in services. Like I have always said, we have an end to white collar jobs, so the future and now is for those who are creative, innovative and those who can use their energy and talent to create employment\u201d.<\/p>\n Governor Ambode said his administration believes that no nation or state can achieve its full potential without adequate attention to matters of heritage and culture or without due encouragement for the teeming youthful population that sees and seeks opportunities in the creative industries.<\/p>\n \u201cCreativity is the most valuable asset in any progressive society.\u00a0 Therefore, progressive governments must embrace creativity. We are committed, and we must reward contributors of creative ideas with incentives.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why we are keenly interested in further development of our creative talents; in providing them with support and opportunities to be engaged; in helping to create platforms such as today\u2019s to excel and compete globally and in showing to the world that Lagos is more than ready to announce its arrival as the continent\u2019s frontline destination of choice that gives arts and culture their due,\u201d the Governor said.<\/p>\n He said with the Arts Exhibition, aside seeking to immortalise the sterling contributions of the late Co-Chair of the Lagos @ 50 Committee, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, presented a veritable platform for his administration to show its passion for the creative arts especially by encouraging young and budding talents.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is why we are keenly interested in further development of our creative talents; in providing them with support and opportunities to be engaged; in helping to create platforms such as today\u2019s to excel and compete globally and in showing to the world that Lagos is more than ready to announce its arrival as the continent\u2019s frontline destination of choice that gives arts and culture their due,\u201d Governor Ambode said.<\/p>\n He said aside the six arts theaters and cinemas which would come on board this year, his administration was making several other interventions to engage the arts community for the Lagos @ 50 celebrations, including engaging several artists to decorate various parts of our state with landmark installations.<\/p>\n \u201cImagine if you give these young ones six arts theatres and cinemas across Lagos, that means they can display their talents, that means we would create more jobs for people, that means there would be money coming into Lagos and then we would have improved on tourism, that\u2019s what we are doing,\u201d Governor Ambode said.<\/p>\n On his part, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed commended the efforts of Governor Ambode describing him as one of the most passionate governors keen to give the creative arts industry a face lift.<\/p>\n Mohammed said Governor Ambode, aside being the first governor in Nigeria building theaters all over the State, his passion to upgrade the National Museum and the National Theatre to world class standard was second to none.<\/p>\n He added that through massive investment in the security apparatus in the State as well as the Light Up Lagos initiative, the Governor was putting in place lifelong infrastructures, which according to him was reviving a 24-hour economy for Lagos.<\/p>\n Corroborating him, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba was full of praise of Governor Ambode, saying that he has succeeded in bringing the old and the new together and restoring Lagos as the modern father of Nigeria.<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/akinwunmiambode.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/PIX-8664.jpg\")
<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>