Saidi Balogun lecturing the graduants On Friday,
February 26, ex-Nigerian model Olusola Gabriel hosted a couple of youths at the
third graduation ceremony of the Lekki Empowerment Project that took place at
Bethel Church (Wonder City), Lekki-Epe expressway, Ajah Lagos.
Olusola
Gabriel who is also the brain behind the Lekki Empowerment Project speaking at
the occasion disclosed that he embarked on this project due to the wrong
perspective majority have on those living in Lekki.
He added that so many people think only the high
and mighty or the wealthy individuals reside in this area with knowing that the
poor who reside in Lekki is more that the rich folks.
A drama presentation from one of the students He
said: “Lekki/Ajah is believed to be a place for the rich but unfortunately the
poor residing there are more than the rich folks.
There are
so many slums in Lekki/Ajah and we believe there is need for changed and we
cannot practice this without practicalizing it. We here of so many killing
around this environs and we thought about it that if this youths were employed
there would be no such cases of immoral act in the society.
Lekki Empowerment Project decided to create a
program where youths can be educated, empowered and be able to fend for
themselves in the future and also take care of their family.
” Speaking on how they impact each student at the
graduation ceremony, Olusola disclosed that the students engage in various
activities such as makeup classes, dance, photography, video editing, modelling,
cinematography and acting.
He said: “We take them from the Spiritual to the
Mental, Physical and the skill itself. The students are not just doing it for
fun but they have mastered their crafts and are a source of motivation to
others and also their teachers.
Our initial plan is to help them engage in
something small and we are ready to equip them in businesses that would help
them start their businesses immediately because a plot of land is very
expensive in this environment.
We will continue to do our best to make sure that
our community is a better place for all. The students are engaged in courses
such as makeup classes, dance, photography, video editing, Modelling,
Cinematography and Acting classes.”
Graduating students of the Lekki Empowerment
Project
The students as part of their graduation ceremony
activities thrilled the audience with various activities that they acquired
during the course of their empowerment program. Part of the presentation of the
day includes a stage drama from the deaf and dumb class titled “Don’t Sleep”,
despite being physically challenged they were able to pass across their message
effectively using their sign language and the help of an interpreter.
Addressing the graduates was popular Nollywood
actor Saidi Balogun advised the aspiring actors to make sure they make
something out of the ability they have been empowered with adding that we are
the giant of Africa so we have to tell the whole world who we are.
Saidi Balogun said: “your being here today is not
a joke but for you to make something out of the things you have been taught
here.
As an actor you have to drop who you are on
set and interpret the given role very well and never forget to make something
out of nothing.
We are the giant of Africa not by words but by
our level of creativity. For the script writers, you must know your community
before you write and make sure you conduct your research before you pen down
anything.”