Lagos Unveils Young Creative Stars at Maiden Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to discovering and nurturing the creative talents of young people through platforms that promote innovation, skill development and cultural preservation.

This assurance was given by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the Eko Schools Arts and Crafts Competition for secondary and tertiary students, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Ayinde-Marshal said the competition was conceived to celebrate artistic excellence and stimulate healthy rivalry among students across the state through a transparent and merit-driven process.

According to her, “Arts and crafts play a vital role in preserving our cultural identity. Through this platform, we are not only encouraging creativity but also providing opportunities for young talents to flourish.”

She revealed that the top nine participants across all categories were awarded scholarships to further their education, adding that the maiden edition would serve as the foundation for greater initiatives to project Lagos’s cultural heritage and promote Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision of a greater Lagos.

The governor’s aide also assured that the government would continue to harness the state’s vast tourism and creative potentials for socio-economic development.

In his remarks, the Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Solomon Sanu Bonu, congratulated the participants and urged them to remain focused, describing the creative arts as a “viable economic sector with the capacity to improve livelihoods and boost the state’s GDP.”

Bonu disclosed that beginning next year, budgetary provisions would be made to support students with exceptional creative abilities, even as he advised them to combine their talents with sound education.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Tertiary Education, Mr. Waheed Kasali, said the initiative aligns with the state government’s efforts to build the capacity of students in line with the T.H.E.M.E Plus Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu administration.

He emphasized that the competition seeks to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students—core values required to thrive in the 21st century.

The event featured exhibitions of outstanding art and craft pieces from schools across the state, reflecting ingenuity, innovation, and deep cultural appreciation.

Winners of the maiden edition include

Tertiary Institutions

Goodness Popoola – Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin

Azeez Aderibigbe – Lagos State University of Science and Technology, Ikorodu

Samuel Aina – Lagos State University of Education, Ijanikin

Senior Secondary Schools

Alexis Aghenta – Scquare College, Lekki

Usa Pascal – Birel Avenue Senior High School, Yaba

Maryam Owolewa – Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu

Junior Secondary Schools

Israel Adedoyin – Government Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu

Kolawole Jubril – Ikorodu Junior Grammar School, Ikorodu

Desmond Awatefe – Tobvic College, Badagry

The competition, jointly organized by the Ministries of Tourism, Arts and Culture and Education, is expected to become an annual event spotlighting the next generation of Lagos creative stars.

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