Lagos Comic Con Sets to Improve Youths

Rebecca Ejifoma

 

Recently, art in Nigeria has become a centre of attraction and attention. The Annual Lagos Comic convention calls up for young up-coming artists, who are yet to find their paths, to come and learn more at its next event set for November 23 this year at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Lagos.

The event, themed Comic Animation and Digital Extension, will have the seminar and the trade fair sections, where people can buy what they want like comics, animation, graphics and illustrations among others.

Ayo Elegba

The founder and organiser of the Comic Con, Ayodele Elegba, said this at a press conference held recently at his Ikeja office. “It is an opportunity for young people to meet lecturers in the career, who are already in the industry. We have provided a platform for networking; bring speakers and different investors to come and see the talents we have in Nigeria. Then to probably pick or invest in some of the products the participants have. We are bringing speakers from all over the industry, game, comic and movie,” he assured.

The art trade fair, which started last year, has attracted the attention of the state. Who would have ever imagined the Lagos comic could get this far? Therefore, with such thrill and partial fulfilment, Elegba explained, “Because Lagos believes in this, the Lagos state ministry of tourism and the Intergovernmental Relations have sponsored this programme − they have seen the benefit of what we are doing to bring tourists to Nigeria and towards youth development.”

Elegba, who has been in the industry for 12 years or thereabouts says animation will come from abroad this time, “because most of them have seen what we do here and say they want to come back to Nigeria with their products; to start up something in Nigeria.”

With his project-100-programme in this event, which will be the first seminar for the day to start at 10 a.m., he says there will be great job opportunities for the youths. He added, “It is for 100 teenagers and youths to learn digital colouring and painting with the computer, free.”

Elegba also said that the con will give tickets and t-shirts to the first 500 persons that register unlike the last time.

With much certainty, he said the government entertainment is not all about music and movies; there is comic, animation and paintings among others. We see and watch films like avengers and the incredible hulk; they were once comic books but now they are block busters, making millions and billions.

This year’s comic con is giving hope to the young creative persons, who draws, writes and paints. Elegba is calling these teen-artists to come and meet like-minded people. “In America, there are schools that focus on animation, which is what we shall do soon, there is no standard animation school in Lagos right now,” he said.