As the primary sponsor of the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF), FirstBank has reaffirmed its dedication to the advancement of the creative arts in Nigeria. The collaboration demonstrates that it is ingrained in the communities in which it operates and resides, living up to its motto, “Woven Into the Fabric of Society.”
The festival, which begins on November 14 and runs through November 17, is a part of the bank’s endeavor to promote cultural exchange both inside and outside of Nigeria and to help the creative economy flourish. LITF’s sponsorship is one of the ways the bank supports cultural initiatives and creative enterprises through its First@Arts initiative.
Oluseyi Oyefeso, Executive Director of Retail Banking at FirstBank, stated during the press conference in Lagos that the collaboration is in line with the bank’s mission to support the creative sector and encourage young people to follow their artistic dreams.
Continuing, Oyefeso had this to say: “FirstBank is proud to be the lead sponsor of this groundbreaking event organized by Terra Kulture in partnership with the Lagos State government. It is probably common knowledge by now that FirstBank had a very soft spot for the creative industry, which I believe is as old as man’s existence. This is why our bank, through its First@art initiative, consolidates support for and sponsorship of the entire value chain of the creative arts industry, providing the much-needed financing, promotion, and sponsorship program to facilitate the success of the industry.
“This has continued to enable our teeming customers and partners to explore the wealth of opportunities that this industry has to offer. As a corporate institution deeply entrenched and woven into the fabric of society, FirstBank recognizes the transformative power of the arts, including theatre, and its ability to inspire the citizenry, ultimately fostering national cohesion. It also provides a platform for self-expression, cultural exchange, and social commentary.
“For more than 130 years, First Bank has been committed to empowering Nigerians by promoting national development through our involvement in various initiatives. We are excited to be part of this journey, empowering creatives, enriching the cultural landscape of Lagos, fostering community engagement, and entrenching social impact,” he added.
He, however, went on to say that the collaboration will accelerate the nation’s economic growth, foster job creation, and strengthen the creative economy.
According to him: “The creative industry, encompassing film, music, literature, and live performances, plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy. By supporting events like the Lagos International Theatre Festival, the bank not only enriches our cultural heritage but also bolsters job creation and the broader arts ecosystem, which encompasses stage designers, sound engineers, and marketers.”
Bolanle Austen-Peters, the Founder of the Lagos International Theatre Festival, stated that the festival is a part of its endeavors to celebrate the power of the arts and use them to teach the world about Nigeria and Nigerians. He said: “Over the years, we have developed so many skill sets and many production houses that have risen out of the work that we do out of Terra Kulture. We thought it might be a good idea to have all of them come together as a community to create a wider ecosystem for the arts to thrive.
“I’m sure most of us remember FESTAC ’77 and the impact it had, not just the social impact but the economic impact as well. What we are doing now is in that fashion. We are bringing troupes from across the globe. Today, we have with us Mr. Stanley Richardson from America. He will be performing. We have from South Africa and Zambia, we have Mr Isaac Kalumba.
“This is one of those unique occasions that we as a people will bring Africans, Americans, from all over the world to converge in Lagos to celebrate the power of arts. Nothing unifies us more than the arts. It bridges gaps; it creates a common language, fun, and excitement. I’m glad that FirstBank saw it and keyed into it,” he added.
Regarding the festival’s financial impact, the Lagos International Theatre Festival Founder said: “The impact is immense; the economic impact of this is significant. There will be stalls for people selling artifacts and hotels being booked for those coming in; there are so many ancillary benefits for our economy from doing things like this. This is the beginning of a long journey and it will become bigger and bigger as we go along.”
Therefore, Austen-Peters praised FirstBank for its sponsorship of the event, saying it demonstrates its dedication to helping the creative industry flourish in addition to turning a profit. In the same vein, seasoned Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko praised FirstBank for their years of support of the creative sector and encouraged other companies to follow suit, saying it will strengthen and improve the sector.
Four locations in Lagos will host LITF, which is being organized by Terra Kulture in collaboration with the Lagos State government and supported by FirstBank, BrandSpur Nigeria news today reports.
The National Theatre (Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts), Terra Kulture, Muson Centre, and John Randle Centre are the locations, according to Vanessa Jev, Festival Director, LITF. Talented performers from South Africa, Zambia, Nigeria, and the United States will also be at the festival.
FirstBank has supported the creative arts’ whole value chain through its First@arts initiative, offering much-needed financing and advisory services, promoting and facilitating the industry’s successes, and allowing clients to take advantage of the many opportunities the creative sector has to offer.
