Young Cross Riverians seeking careers in the creative industry have been encouraged to pursue their ambitions and build successful careers outside Lagos, with stakeholders stressing the importance of consistency, mentorship and skill development NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The advice was given during a creative seminar organised by the Peter Bello Foundation in Calabar, where speakers urged emerging creatives not to be discouraged by the perception that opportunities only exist in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, the co-founder of the foundation, Thelma Atim Kayode-Bello, said young people could succeed anywhere if they remained focused and committed to improving their skills.
Kayode-Bello noted that although many creatives believe they must relocate to Lagos to thrive, individuals could carve out unique paths in other cities by identifying their strengths and building expertise.
“You can carve your niche here. Find out what you can do and perfect it. Go for training, be mentored, be willing to learn and work hard. Then you will succeed,” she said.
She explained that the foundation was established in memory of her late son, Peter Bello, with the goal of inspiring young people to pursue their dreams and make meaningful contributions to society.
Also speaking at the seminar, media entrepreneur and founder of Africafixers, Obaji Akpet, said success in the creative sector requires a strong business mindset and determination.
Akpet explained that his organisation supports film productions, journalists and corporate organisations across Africa by providing production logistics and local expertise.
According to him, Africafixers currently operates in more than 40 African countries and has executed projects in several cities including Nairobi, Cape Town and Lagos.
He said capacity-building opportunities provided by the foundation over the years had helped nurture several creative professionals.
“The programme gave many of us our first opportunity to explore photography and storytelling. It helped us build confidence and develop skills that later shaped our careers,” he said.
Akpet also emphasised that creatives must learn to approach their work professionally and build sustainable businesses around their talents.
Meanwhile, the Community Lead of Wiki Niger Delta, Michael Odialla, encouraged participants to use digital platforms to document and promote the cultural heritage of the Niger Delta.
Odialla noted that initiatives such as the “Rights and Rituals” campaign aim to encourage young creatives to tell their own stories and showcase their culture to global audiences using platforms like Wikipedia.
He said documenting local traditions and histories could help correct misconceptions and ensure that the region’s heritage is preserved for future generations.
Participants at the seminar, which brought together journalists, photographers, filmmakers and other creative professionals, also discussed the challenges facing the creative industry in Cross River state, including limited infrastructure, access to funding and mentorship opportunities.
However, speakers maintained that with determination, collaboration and the right support systems, young creatives could build successful careers regardless of their location.
