Adekunle Gold partners with Lagos State Ministry of Tourism to promote indigenous music and strengthen cultural heritage through collaborative projects

Nigerian music icon Adekunle Gold is set to collaborate with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in a strategic move aimed at promoting the state’s vibrant cultural heritage.

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The music star visited the ministry on Wednesday, where discussions were held on future joint initiatives.

The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, disclosed in a statement on Thursday that the meeting focused on strengthening the state’s cultural presence by blending indigenous music with contemporary expressions.

“The partnership aims to highlight and celebrate our indigenous music genres by integrating traditional sounds into modern contexts,” the Commissioner said. “We also discussed empowering young creatives through mentorship programmes and workshops.”

According to her, the collaboration aligns with the broader goal of positioning Lagos as a top cultural and tourism destination globally, drawing both local and international attention to the state’s artistic ecosystem.

Adekunle Gold, who was visibly moved by the state’s commitment to cultural promotion, commended the Lagos State Government for its various initiatives supporting Nigeria’s diverse traditions.

He emphasised the importance of cultural preservation for future generations. *“It’s crucial that we continue to honour our roots and create platforms where our history, music, and art can thrive,”* he said.

The partnership is expected to produce projects that both showcase Lagos’ creative talent and reinforce its reputation as the cultural heartbeat of Nigeria.

A documentary chronicling the life and global impact of Nigerian music icon Wizkid, titled ‘Love Live Lagos,’ is set to premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in June 2025

A compelling documentary exploring the extraordinary life and career of Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, globally recognized as Wizkid, is slated to premiere at the esteemed Tribeca Film Festival.

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Titled Love Live Lagos, the film offers an in-depth look at Wizkid’s remarkable journey from a celebrated Nigerian music artist to an international phenomenon whose influence has paved the way for African musicians on the global stage.

Love Live Lagos is scheduled for screening at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 6, 7, and 11, 2025, promising audiences an intimate portrayal of the artist’s ascent.

The documentary features insightful interviews with key individuals who have played pivotal roles in Wizkid’s journey. These include the legendary five-time Grammy-nominated Afrobeat pioneer Femi Kuti, Wizkid’s manager and partner Jada Pollock, his long-term manager Sunday Are, Julia Adenuga, and Seni Saraki. Their perspectives offer a unique and personal glimpse into the support system that has shaped Wizkid’s illustrious career.

Directed by Karam Gill, Love Live Lagos is being lauded as a powerful narrative that effectively showcases Wizkid’s meteoric rise to global stardom and his profound impact on how Africa is perceived and heard on a global scale through his music.

Adding another layer of engagement for festival attendees, Wizkid and director Karam Gill are scheduled to host a discussion at the festival. During this session, the Nigerian megastar will share personal insights and reflections on his remarkable career trajectory.

This significant project marks Wizkid’s return to film-related endeavors, following the release of a short film five years prior to promote the deluxe version of his Grammy-nominated album, Made in Lagos.

Karam Gill’s documentary further solidifies Wizkid’s enduring legacy, placing him alongside other iconic African musicians such as Fela Kuti and William Onyeabor, whose impactful careers have also been immortalized through film.

FirstBank has announced its sponsorship of “The Jewel,” a musical theatre production by Eko Hotels and Suites, underscoring the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting the creative industry in Nigeria

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its sponsorship of “The Jewel,” a highly anticipated musical theatre show produced by Eko Hotels and Suites.

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The announcement was made at a press conference held on Wednesday at Eko Hotels, where FirstBank representatives emphasized the sponsorship as a reflection of the bank’s long-standing dedication to the growth and development of the creative industry in Nigeria.

FirstBank has consistently demonstrated its support for the creative sector over the years, with recent initiatives including the sponsorship of the stage play “Kurunmi” at the Lagos International Theatre Festival and the launch of its entertainment channel, Bluu TV.

Speaking at the press conference, the Acting Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, reiterated the bank’s broad support for various forms of artistic expression.

“From music to entertainment, theatre, stage performances, to poem performances and everything in between, FirstBank has always supported,” Ijabiyi stated.

Ijabiyi further elaborated that FirstBank’s commitment to the creative industry extends beyond providing visibility for artists to supporting the entire value chain, including back-end production. He also emphasized the bank’s long-term perspective on its partnership with Eko Hotels.

Also present at the event, the Head of Sponsorships, Partnerships, Events & Collaborations at First Bank, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, highlighted the financial institution’s role in providing crucial support to the arts sector and meeting the diverse banking needs of players within it. “We see that this is a value chain.

It is bringing banking into the art space. So, people have different needs around the financial space. They could want to book a facility and learn new skills, so this is beyond them doing this performance and empowering them to put food on their table.

With FirstBank supporting the initiative of art, it means a whole lot of people, even those in the backstage that you do not see, have something to do and have reasons to wake up every day to continue to pursue their passion,” Bode-Akinwande enthused.

The General Manager of Eko Hotels, Danny Kioupouroglou, affirmed the shared vision between Eko Hotels and FirstBank in providing first-class entertainment experiences.

He clarified that FirstBank’s support was specifically for the arts and the ecosystem surrounding the theatre production, including the musicians and technicians, aiming to foster a more robust and economically viable creative sector.

Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Eko Hotels and Suites, provided insights into the musical itself. She described “The Jewel” as a Broadway-style musical theatre show inspired by the works of two renowned Nigerian playwrights, Wole Soyinka’s “The Lion and the Jewel” and Ola Rotimi’s “Our Husbands Have Gone Mad Again.”

Dr. Gbadebo emphasized the creative license taken to reinterpret these classic works in a way that offers major entertainment and appreciation, while also highlighting the strong moral and social themes embedded in the original plays.

She stressed the importance of preserving and showcasing African theatre to a global audience, ensuring that the richness of African literature is not forgotten.

Dr. Gbadebo also mentioned that the Broadway musical adaptation of these plays was showcased on the 18th and 19th of April at the Convention Centre, proudly sponsored by FirstBank, and is set in the future, offering a unique and contemporary perspective on these timeless stories.