The Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in conjunction with a private company, Content Warehouse Limited, has unveiled an eight-week creativity challenge that will produce musical stars with the winner going home with the star prize of N10M, a brand new car and other gift items.
The initiative tagged: “Kampus Stars” is designed to harness the music potentials in students of Higher Institutions in Lagos State as part of the government’s plans to productively engage the youths and redirect their attention into profitable activities.
Speaking at a Press Conference and the unveiling of the Kampus Stars Reality show in Alausa Ikeja, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, said the initiative will further build on the inherent creativity of the youths while also creating an economy that provides more jobs and opportunities for its young population.
She informed students from the various higher institutions of learning at the event that apart from the star prize winner, other valuable prizes would be given to contestants with impressive performances as determined by the panel of judges.
The Commissioner averred that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was determined to create sustainable growth for the youths of Lagos State in the area of tourism, entertainment, arts and culture as well as through educational empowerment and skills acquisition in order to transform youth restiveness into a productive venture.
The contest, according to her, will create a culture of reproducing creative talents who will continue to meet the entertainment demands of fun-loving members of the public and bridge identified gaps in the creative industry.
In her words: “With the unveiling of Lagos Kampus Stars, we will be celebrating the versatility of the various higher institutions in Lagos State and the abundance of creativity and talents in our youths through this programme”.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged all the participants to put in their best and prove that the youths of Lagos State are creative, purpose-driven and determined to excel at all times.
Earlier, the Special Adviser, Mr. Solomon Bonu made it known that Governor Sanwo-Olu desires that the youth be gainfully engaged and kept off social vices.
He said: “It is the wish of Mr. Governor that the youths convert all their inexhaustibility into useful and rewarding activities such as Kampus Stars.
During the #EndSARS protest, the catalyst that metamorphosed the protest was music. The majority of our youths are music-oriented, this is why it is necessary for the State government to key into an initiative like this that will channel the musical interest of the youth productively”, Bonu added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, said the programme is all about youths, adding that it is part of the government’s plans to unveil the hidden potentials in youths, train them to become professional and also empower them.
Her words: “As we all know that the youth are our future, it’s imperative to create a platform where they will be able to showcase their talent and when we invest in them, there is a possibility for a bright future”.
The Kampus Stars project leader, Ralph Nwadike, expressed gratitude to the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his outstanding support, the interest shown and as well helping the youths to push their dreams.
He charged the participants to be resolute in their career progression as this initiative will go long way in exposing them to the world and making them compete better without fear.
Explaining the rationale behind the Kampus Stars project, the Head of the Technical Team for the show, Ace Film Director and Producer, Mr. Tade Ogidan revealed that the contestants for the Kampus Star reality show would be tasked to promote the aesthetic splendour of Lagos State through the use of music as an art.
He said that the participants would have the opportunity to interact with veterans in the field of film production and also draw inspiration from their wealth of experience.