By JOAN ODAFE

The Lagos State Government on Monday performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the reconstruction of the Oregun Theatre.

The state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reiterated the government’s commitment to promoting the creative industry and youth development through investments in tourism and entertainment infrastructure.

Benson-Awoyinka said that the state government had recognised the growing youth demography in the state, which is estimated to be about 60 to 70 per cent of the population.

According to the commissioner, the government is focused on creating opportunities that cater to their unconventional thinking and creative potential.

Speaking on the importance of supporting young innovators, Benson-Awoyinka said the government would ensure that there are accessible creative spaces across the state.

“We have seen that the creative industry is where our youths have been centered right now.

She said the theatre project, which will include a theatre, a cinema as well as other amenities, is expected to provide a multi-functional creative hub for the Ikeja community,

She said it would also ease pressure on other nearby commercial hubs, especially during the festive seasons.

“During the festive seasons, the mall down the road is overflowing, and most times we would call agencies of government to shut down the city mall because of the risk of stampede and some other dangers that we foresee,” the commissioner said.

Acknowledging past challenges, including vandalism, Benson-Awoyinka said the reconstruction will be an upgrade of what the facility was before it was vandalised by the EndSARS protestors in October 2020.

She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to completing the Oregun Theatre before the end of the current administration.

She revealed that apart from the three Lagos theatres situated at Epe, Badagry and Igando, the state plans to construct a replica of the ongoing Oregun project, at Ikorodu.

Mrs. Ayo Jaiyesimi, Chief Executive Officer of Thespian Family Theatre and Productions, one of the contractors of the project, said the theatre would be of great benefit to those in the creative industries. (NAN)