By Azeez Disu

FirstBank has restated its commitment to the development of creative arts in Nigeria with its partnership with the Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF) as the headline sponsor of the event. The partnership attests to its mantra ‘Woven Into the Fabric of Society’, which means it is embedded in the lives of the communities where it lives and works.

The festival, which kicks off from November 14 to 17, is part of the bank’s effort to contribute to the growth of the creative economy and foster cultural exchange within and beyond Nigeria. The bank supports cultural projects and creative entrepreneurs through its First@Arts initiative and the sponsorship of LITF is one of such.

Speaking at the press conference held in Lagos, Oluseyi Oyefeso, Executive Director of Retail Banking at FirstBank, said the partnership aligns with its goal of nurturing the creative industry and empowering young talents to pursue their artistic passions.

“FirstBank is proud to be the lead sponsor of this groundbreaking event organized by Terra Kulture in partnership with the Lagos State government. It is probably common knowledge by now that FirstBank had a very soft spot for the creative industry, which I believe is as old as man’s existence. This is why our bank, through its First@art initiative, consolidates support for and sponsorship of the entire value chain of the creative arts industry, providing the much-needed financing, promotion, and sponsorship program to facilitate the success of the industry.

“This has continued to enable our teeming customers and partners to explore the wealth of opportunities that this industry has to offer. As a corporate institution deeply entrenched and woven into the fabric of society, First Bank recognizes the transformative power of the arts, including theatre, and its ability to inspire the citizenry, ultimately fostering national cohesion. It also provides a platform for self-expression, cultural exchange, and social commentary.

“For more than 130 years, First Bank has been committed to empowering Nigerians by promoting national development through our involvement in various initiatives. We are excited to be part of this journey, empowering creatives, enriching the cultural landscape of Lagos, fostering community engagement, and entrenching social impact,” he said.

He explained further that the partnership will help create jobs, boost the creative economy, and accelerate the economic growth of the country.

“The creative industry, encompassing film, music, literature, and live performances, plays a significant role in Nigeria’s economy. By supporting events like the Lagos International Theatre Festival, the bank not only enriches our cultural heritage but also bolsters job creation and the broader arts ecosystem, which encompasses stage designers, sound engineers, and marketers,” he emphasized.

The Founder of the Lagos International Theatre Festival, Bolanle Austen-Peters said the festival is part of its efforts to use arts to tell the unique stories of Nigeria and Nigerians to the world by celebrating the power of arts.

“Over the years, we have developed so many skill sets and many production houses that have risen out of the work that we do out of Terra Kulture. We thought it might be a good idea to have all of them come together as a community to create a wider ecosystem for the arts to thrive.

“I’m sure most of us remember FESTAC ’77 and the impact it had, not just the social impact but the economic impact as well. What we are doing now is in that fashion. We are bringing troupes from across the globe. Today, we have with us Mr. Stanley Richardson from America. He will be performing. We have from South Africa and Zambia, we have Mr Isaac Kalumba.

“This is one of those unique occasions that we as a people will bring Africans, Americans, from all over the world to converge in Lagos to celebrate the power of arts. Nothing unifies us more than the arts. It bridges gaps; it creates a common language, fun, and excitement. I’m glad that FirstBank saw it and keyed into it.”

Commenting on the economic impact of the festival, Austen-Peters stated “The impact is immense; the economic impact of this is significant. There will be stalls for people selling artifacts and hotels being booked for those coming in; there are so many ancillary benefits for our economy from doing things like this. This is the beginning of a long journey and it will become bigger and bigger as we go along.”

She, therefore, applauded FirstBank for supporting the festival, adding that it shows its commitment to contributing to the growth of the creative industry beyond making a profit.

Similarly, veteran Nollywood Actor Jide Kosoko commended FirstBank for supporting the creative industry over the years and urged other brands to emulate such a gesture as it will make the industry stronger and better.

LITF, organized by Terra Kulture in partnership with the Lagos State government and sponsored by FirstBank, will be held in four venues in Lagos.

Vanessa Jev, Festival Director, LITF disclosed that the venues are the National Theatre (Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts), Terra Kulture, Muson Centre, and John Randle Centre.

The festival will also feature talented artists from the United States, South Africa, Zambia, and Nigeria.

Through FirstBank’s First@arts initiative, the bank has been supporting the entire value chain of the creative arts, providing much-needed financing and advisory services, showcasing and facilitating the successes of the industry, and enabling customers to explore the wealth of opportunities the creative industry has to offer.