By Eberechi Obinagwam
The Lagos State Government has hosted the second edition of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition to strengthen creativity, preserve culture, and create pathways to jobs and entrepreneurship for young people.
Speaking at the event on Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture,
Mrs Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila said the initiative was designed to discover, nurture and showcase creative talents across the state.
She said the event was not just a competition but a celebration of creativity, innovation, culture, and the boundless potential of young Lagos residents.
According to her, 489 students registered for the competition, while 132 submitted entries from schools across the five divisions of the state and some tertiary institutions.
Oyekan-Ismaila said this year’s theme, ‘This is Lagos’, challenged participants to creatively interpret the identity, resilience, heritage, diversity and innovative spirit of the state.
“The artworks on display today beautifully capture the essence of Lagos, its rich cultural heritage, vibrant communities, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to sustainability,” she said.
The competition featured categories including painting, drawing, sculpture, crocheting and up-cycling.
Nine students emerged winners, three each from the junior secondary, senior secondary and tertiary institution categories.
The students received scholarships in recognition of their outstanding entries.
Also, Mr Solomon Bonu, Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, said government support for the programme was informed by its potential to equip young people with practical skills and reduce dependence on traditional career pathways.
“The purpose of this programme is to equip you, the students.
“Not everybody among you will become a civil servant.
“Not everybody will become a banker, but with this programme, you can be self-sufficient with your arts and crafts,” he said.
Bonu commended the contribution of former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, who initiated the platform to expand opportunities for young creative talents in Lagos.
Similarly, Olabode Agoro,Head of Service, said arts and crafts should not be seen as extracurricular activities, but as tools for expression, critical thinking, cultural preservation and skills development.
Agoro, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, said the state government remained committed to holistic education that nurtures creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation among learners.
Also speaking, visual artist and medical doctor, Dr Fola David, urged participants to value their creative abilities and continue sharing their work with confidence.
David, who was also the judge for the competition said: “If you do not showcase your work, then you will not start it.
“You can be a great artist and create pieces to put in your bedroom or keep in your cupboard.
“But if you can’t even assess yourself, you cannot create all your full potential if you create and keep it somewhere.
“You need to be able to have that confidence to create and put it out there for the world to see.”
Temitayo Shofela, a visual arts teacher at Millennium Senior Secondary School, Egbeda, said the competition had grown since its maiden edition and had become an important platform for identifying and nurturing students’ artistic talent.
According to Shofela, the registration and submission process for the second edition was smoother and gave students adequate time to develop their ideas and present their works.
He said participants submitted videos documenting their creative process and explanations of their artworks, while entries were assessed through a five-star rating system that reflected noticeable improvement from the previous edition.
One of the winners in the senior secondary category, Opeyemi Makinde, who created a giant alarm clock featuring Lagos landmarks including the National Arts Theatre, bridges and commercial buses, said the competition changed how he viewed art and impact.
“I am not coming here only to just win the award.
“Through arts, there is more you can expand.
“There are people you can help through arts and there are messages you can pass,” he said.
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