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Lagos, Del York sign agreement to build Africa’s leading creative project
Del York International Group and the Lagos State Government have signed an agreement to carry out a project that will transform the state to a major hub for entertainment in Africa.
The formal signing became a major highlight and climax of the Lagos State’s Ehingbeti Investment Summit, according to a press statement by the governor’s media aide.
Both are now committed to developing the Lagos Film and Media City, an ultra-modern film and media city in Epe by the first quarter of 2023.
The project, the statement said, has been christened as “Kebulania” from ‘Alkebulan’, an ancient word meaning “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden”.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu shared his excitement at the prospect of the impending investment took 18 months of diligent effort by the Del York team and members of the state to formalize.
“I would like to thank the Del York Team for all their effort so far. I recall on my last visit to the United States, they took us on a tour of the Trilith Studios in Atlanta to see first-hand what they wanted to build in Lagos and subsequently to an investment summit in Washington DC to meet with investors for the project,” the governor said in the statement.
“We want to give Nigerians who are creatives an opportunity to develop themselves to a world-class standard and an ecosystem where they can learn, work and thrive in a serene atmosphere.”
The governor thanked all the traditional rulers in Epe for being such good hosts for the project and look forward to its positive impact on their community in Epe upon its completion.
Features of the project include multiple sound stages, a technology park, a school of creative arts & entrepreneurship, a theme park, residential and commercial real estate, a Nollywood Walk of Fame, and Front & Backlot infrastructure for varied film environments.
The Del York Creative Academy, the capacity-building subsidiary of the Del York International Group, has trained no less than 5,000 individuals from across Africa since 2010.
In that time they have brought world-renowned trainers from Hollywood to develop a stream of raw talent who have since blossomed into some of Nollywood’s most consistent performers.
The group has now added an infrastructure component through partnerships with global infrastructure partners.
During the signing, Linus Idahosa, chairman of the group, spoke of its commitment to making the project a reality and the many milestones that had thus far been achieved towards its imminent delivery.
“Having this formal signing at such a high-profile event as this is a clear testament to the state’s dedication to attracting FDI into the state through the creative industry,” he said, appreciating the government’s commitment to the project and the industry.
Idahosa signed on behalf of his group and the commissioner for Tourism, Pharm. Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf signed on behalf of the government in the presence of Sanwo-Olu.