The  Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu initiated an intervention project that will jump-start the transformation of the Entertainment and Tourism sector.

The Governor, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Committee on Film Production Empowerment at the State House, Marina to fund youth creativity and entertainment activities in the State, following the disruption caused by the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) that impacted negatively on entertainment and tourism in the State.

Richard Mofe-Damijo – a veteran filmmaker and Nollywood actor – is the chairman of the nine-member committee, comprising five industry practitioners and four Government officials.

They are selected to drive the Governor’s vision to actively support youth creativity and entrepreneurship in the sector.

The committee’s inauguration came months after the Governor set aside N1 billion seed capital to unlock the potential in hospitality and tourism businesses.

The scheme is to support creative ideas of movie and entertainment producers who are constrained by funds to bring their concepts into reality. Applicants are to be supported with funding based on the financial plans of their projects.

The grant may be as much as N40 million for each beneficiary. Entertaiment and Tourism form a key pillar of the Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda being implemented to drive inclusive growth and socio-economic development across sectors of the State’s economy.

Sanwo-Olu described the entertainment and tourism as enablers of growth with huge potential for employment opportunities.

The sector, he said, is critical to achieving his administration’s youth development objectives, given its high rate of absorption of creative young people in its supply.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also  inaugurated a 9-member Committee on Film Production Empowerment at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Marina.

Members include: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mr Tunde Kelani, Mo Abudu, Kunle Afolayan, Peace Anyim-Osigwe, Adebukola Agbaminoja, Tinubu Ferdinand R.O, Taju Olayiwola Olajumoke and Mrs Funke Avoseh.

Functions and Modalities of the Committee will be determined by the members. Committee has independence to determine the selection process and other operating model.

The Committee was set up as response for the Government intervention in the movie and entertainment industry.

The Governor recognises the roles of the youth and Nollywood especially to the GDP of the State and Nigeria as a whole.