Ogun partners Terra Kulture to establish film, entertainment village

The Ogun Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has said the state will collaborate with Terra Kulture to establish a film and entertainment village in the state.

Abiodun said this when he received the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen- Peters, in Abeokuta, on Saturday

He stated that the Ogun would be more than happy to invest in the project.

According to the governor, the film village will help the state to preserve the legacies of its pioneers, who excelled in the fields of music, film, drama, and entertainment.

“From the onset of this administration, we had wanted to have some sort of creative arts and entertainment zone, but the government had been laden with many activities.

‘My administration has been paying attention to matters that touch the lives of the people directly.

“It is when people are comfortable and happy that they will begin to think of relaxing and being entertained” Abiodun said.

He said that the Ogun government was confident that a lot has been achieved with respect to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people.

“We are in April, and I want to see the first phase of this project begin to evolve in the next 60 days.

“So we can perform a groundbreaking ceremony before the 60 days.

“We would be very happy to invest in it. We will entrust the running and operation of the film village to you as well,” the governor said.

Abiodun said that as part of his administration’s decision to develop culture and tourism in the state, it has begun the restoration of some historic and architectural buildings.

He added that part of the plans for developing the culture and tourism space included the restoration and painting of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s mother’s home, MKO Abiola’s home, and the house where the Queen of England was received.

“Going forward, we have begun to look at our heritage sites, and we are trying to work on them, restore them, and make them more attractive to our tourists.

“A few weeks ago, I was at Olumo Rock, and we are working hard to prepare it to receive visitors like never before in the next four weeks.” he said

According to Abiodun, the state will be hosting the National Sports Festival as from middle of May, and well over 12,000 people are being expected.

” I want to get our state ready for that number of people who will be coming here for the festival and also to explore what Ogun State has to offer,” he said.

The governor also said that the creation of a Hall of Fame was being considered that would tell the stories of heroes and stars of the state to younger generations.

Earlier in her remarks, Austen – Peters said that her company was glad to partner with the state on the project.

She stated that the company would develop the state into a world-class tourist destination that would be the first of its kind in the country.

The Terra Kulture boss said that her company aimed to celebrate Ogun heroes and present the state as a home where people could visit to learn more about the heroes of the state.

“We are focused on celebrating our Ogun heroes:. Many of you know that the state has produced numerous musicians, actors, performers, and writers; the list is endless.

“ Terra Kulture is in the state to build an entire ecosystem around the cultural space in the state,” she said,

Austen-Peters said that the film village, when completed, would help create more wealth for the state.