FirstBank joins forces with Lagos International Theatre Festival to empower Nigerian arts
By Tunji Faleye
In a continued push to support Nigeria’s vibrant arts sector and nurture emerging talent, FirstBank of Nigeria has joined forces with the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF), a renowned platform for performing arts in West Africa. This partnership marks a strategic alliance aimed at elevating young artists and fostering cross-cultural exchange within Nigeria and abroad.
Scheduled to take place from November 14 to 17, the festival which will also have representatives from South Africa, Zambia and United State promises an enriched program thanks to FirstBank’s involvement, providing a wider reach and enhanced resources for artists to grow and showcase their talents.
Highlighting the importance of this initiative, Mr. Oluseyi Oyefeso, Executive Director of Retail Banking at FirstBank, explained, “Our collaboration with LITF aligns with our mission to champion the creative industry and enable young talents to realize their artistic ambitions. It’s a meaningful step in preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and adding to the global story of African art.”
Oyefeso further noted that FirstBank’s investment reflects its recognition of the arts as a contributor to economic growth, especially as Nigeria’s creative sector—encompassing film, music, literature, and live theater—plays a crucial role in job creation. “By investing in LITF, we’re not only supporting cultural richness but also contributing to the arts ecosystem, from stage designers to sound engineers and marketers,” he added.
Bolanle Austen-Peters, founder of the LITF and Terra Kulture, shared her commitment to promoting live theater and Nigerian plays, emphasizing the festival’s impact on spotlighting local talent. “Our journey with LITF is about highlighting the vitality of live theater in Nigeria. After promoting world-class productions and training over 26,000 young people through Terra Academy for the Arts, we are proud to champion stage plays with LITF,” she stated.
Reflecting on her more than two decades in the arts industry, Austen-Peters expressed a sense of duty in launching the festival. “With 22 years of experience in creating jobs and opportunities in the arts, I felt it was imperative to lead this initiative,” she said.
Veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko, also present at the event, commended FirstBank for its longstanding commitment to the arts in Nigeria, adding that the bank’s support has been instrumental to the industry’s growth. He further lauded Austen-Peters’ dedication to elevating Nigerian art through initiatives like LITF, which Kosoko believes will boost Nigeria’s cultural visibility globally.
FirstBank’s involvement in the festival is part of its broader First@Arts program, an initiative that has historically supported cultural projects and creative entrepreneurs. For this year’s LITF, audiences can expect a diverse lineup of performances that celebrate themes of identity, resilience, and innovation, blending contemporary and traditional artistic expressions to capture the spirit of Nigerian culture.
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