The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said the state is investing hugely in the creative sector with the goal to become the home of culture and tourism in West Africa.
Obaseki, who disclosed this while declaring the maiden edition of the Edo International Film Festival open in Benin City, the Edo State capital, reassured that the government will sustain efforts to give the art sector its pride of place in the state. “Our goal is to be the home of culture and tourism in West Africa. The Victor Uwaifo Sound Stage is our first experiment to build the required infrastructure to support the creative industry particularly film and movies in the state, adding, “with the success of this sound stage we will now move to the Film Village which initial design has commenced.”
On his part, the chairman of the festival planning committee and veteran filmmaker, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, said, “Our state is taking advantage of the film festival to sell Edo to the world. We have recorded over 1,500 viewers watching our films in just the first day of the four days of the film festival.