FirstBank said yesterday that it is collaborating with the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) to hold its maiden theatre festival as part of its efforts to contribute to nation-building and support the creative arts industry.
Speaking at a crowded press conference in Lagos yesterday, FirstBank’s Executive Director of Retail Banking, Mr. Oluseyi Oyefeso, expressed the bank’s excitement and readiness to support the festival..
According to him, “As a corporate institution deeply woven into the fabric of society, FirstBank recognises the transformative power of the arts, including theatre, and its ability to inspire the citizenry, ultimately fostering national cohesion. The arts provide a platform for self-expression, cultural exchange, and social commentary.”
He disclosed that the event is scheduled to run from November 15th to 17th, 2024, adding ” the event will be held across four prominent venues in Lagos, namely- The National Theatre (Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts), Terra Kulture, Muson Centre, and John Randle Centre.”
He said the sponsorship aligns with FirstBank’s First@Arts Initiative, a platform dedicated to supporting the creative arts industry across Nigeria.
Celebrating its 130th anniversary, FirstBank has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative sector, with Oyefeso promising continuous support for the next 130 years.
Mr. Oyefo further disclosed that the festival will feature talented artists from the United States, South Africa, Zambia, and Nigeria.
In her contribution, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters who is the driving force behind the LITF initiative, threw light into the festival’s goal stressing that it will foster a thriving community for actors, promote excellence, and ensure sustainability in the creative industry.
Said she, “Over the years, we’ve developed diverse skills and many production houses have emerged from Terra Kulture’s efforts. We felt it was time to bring everyone together as a community, creating a broader ecosystem for the arts to thrive.”
“I didn’t initially plan to organize this festival, but after over 22 years with Terra Kulture, where we’ve created jobs and opportunities and trained over 24,000 young people, I felt it was necessary to provide this platform, ” she further said.
According to her, the LITF will serve as a platform where creatives in the country can explore, tell our stories, and export our positive philosophies and values to the world. “Attendees can look forward to an array of performances, including musicals, skits, and theater repertory, reflecting Africa’s diverse cultural heritage.”
Speaking further on the inaugural Lagos International Theatre Festival, organized by Terra Kulture in partnership with the Lagos State government and proudly sponsored by FirstBank; Mr. Jide Kosoko, a veteran actor also expressed his gratitude to FirstBank for its continuous support of the industry.
In an exclusive interview with New Sentinel, Mrs Bolanle Austen-Peters said, “I did not initially plan to organize this festival, but after over 22 years with Terra Kulture, where we have created jobs and opportunities and trained over 24,000 young people, I felt it was necessary to provide this platform.”
She said the LITF will serve as a platform where creatives in the country can explore, tell our stories, and export our positive philosophies, ideas and values to the world.”
