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Terra Kulture And Mastercard Foundation Partner To Empower And Create Work Opportunities For 65,000 Young Creatives Across Nigeria

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Terra Kulture, a leading educational and recreational organization, has partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to train up to 65,000 creatives across Nigeria. The five-year training partnership program aims to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills across key sub-sectors in theatre and business. The initiative will form a significant part of the Terra Academy for The Arts (TAFTA) program.

The partnership will create an e-learning platform that will provide free education and access to employment opportunities to the most vulnerable youth, with a major focus on women between 16-35 years in Lagos, Ogun, and Kano States. The partnership will also provide participants with foundational training, support, internships, and employment and financial services linkages. 

L-R: Program Lead, MSME Finance, Mastercard Foundation, Chioma Nwagboso; Country Head – Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson; Founder, Terra Kulture and BAP Productions, Bolanle Austen-Peters; Program Lead, Agriculture, Mastercard Foundation; Lois Sankey and the General Manager, Terra Kulture, Joseph Umoibom during the signing of a 5-year training partnership program agreement between Terra Kulture and the Mastercard Foundation to equip 65,000 young people with relevant skills across key sub-sectors in theatre and business.


Speaking on the partnership, the Chief Executive Officer of Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austen-Peters, stated that the intervention would positively impact Nigerian youth and culture, both now and in the nearest future.

She said, “Driving impact and creating massive visibility for the Nigerian culture and youth has always been at the core of our existence. We have leveraged our thorough understanding of arts, culture, and languages over the years to impact the next generation in the best way possible. We are extremely excited to partner with the Mastercard Foundation to further empower up to 65,000 Nigerian youth spread across the country.”

L-R: Program Lead, MSME Finance, Mastercard Foundation, Chioma Nwagboso; Country Head – Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson; Founder, Terra Kulture and BAP Productions, Bolanle Austen-Peters and Program Lead, Agriculture, Mastercard Foundation; Lois Sankey during the signing of a 5-year training partnership program agreement between Terra Kulture and the Mastercard Foundation to equip 65,000 young people  with relevant skills across key sub-sectors in theatre and business.

“The Academy will provide training on key technical production skills for theatre and the Creative industry. Each course will include an entrepreneurial module for students to learn about the industry’s business side. Some of the courses offered include Animation, Scriptwriting, Lighting Management, and Sound Management. We believe this will create employment opportunities for young creatives and make them self-reliant while facilitating national integration among students.”

The entry requirement for all students is a minimum of senior secondary school qualifications. All courses will include an introductory section, and as such, students do not need any prior knowledge to either register for the course or comprehend the course material.

 

L-R: Lead, Safeguarding, Mastercard Foundation, Oluranti Adetoye; Program Lead, MSME Finance, Mastercard Foundation, Chioma Nwagboso; Country Head – Nigeria, Mastercard Foundation, Chidinma Lawanson; Founder, Terra Kulture and BAP Productions, Bolanle Austen-Peters; Program Lead, Agriculture, Mastercard Foundation; Lois Sankey and the General Manager, Terra Kulture, Joseph Umoibom during the signing of a 5-year training partnership program agreement between Terra Kulture and the Mastercard Foundation to equip 65,000 young people with relegating skills across key sub-sectors in theatre and business.

 

The Mastercard Foundation’s Country Head for Nigeria, Chidinma Lawanson, commented, “This partnership will enable us to reach more young people, especially young women in the Creative sector. Together with our partner, we will provide access to training, skills, and mentorship platforms which will further create access to entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for young creatives in Nigeria.”

The partnership is aligned with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy in Nigeria, which seeks to enable 10 million young Nigerian women and men, to access dignified work and the right skills to contribute to Africa’s global competitiveness.


ABOUT TERRA KULTURE
Terra Kulture Arts and Studios Limited (formerly Terra Kulture Limited – The Nigerian Cultural Centre) is an educational and recreational organization set up in 2003 to promote the richness and diversity of Nigerian languages, arts and culture. Terra Kulture has organized over 200 art exhibitions, over 150 plays, 65 book readings and over 10,000 individual adopts and children, as well as school trips, have attended our language classes.

Its production arm, BAP Productions has produced award winning musicals and plays including Saro the Musical, Wakaa the Musical, Queen Moremi the Musical, The Oluronbi Musical, Man Enough, Fela and the Kalakuta Death and the King’s Horseman and Trials of bro Jero and also movies such as The Bling Lagosians, 93days, Man of God and soon to be released Collision Course.

About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and in Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org.

About Young Africa Works
Young Africa Works is the Mastercard Foundation’s strategy to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, across Africa to access dignified work. Africa will be home to the world’s largest workforce, with 375 million young people entering the job market by 2030. With the right skills, these young people will contribute to Africa’s global competitiveness and improve their lives and those of their communities.
Media Inquiries:
Terra Kulture Arts and Studios Limited
Joseph Umoibom
General Manager
joseph@terrakulture.com

Mastercard Foundation
Nonye Mpho Omotola
Country Lead, Program Communications, Nigeria
nomotola@mastercardfdn.org

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Easter: Nigeria Plunged Into Darkness Again As National Grid Collapses

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Nigeria has been thrust into darkness yet again as the national electricity grid, centrally managed from Osogbo, Osun State, suffered a collapse at approximately 4:30 pm on Thursday, leaving millions of homes and businesses without power.

This development marks the fourth time the grid is collapsing since in the first three months of the year, adding to challenges that have long plagued Nigeria’s power sector.

According to reports from various distribution companies spanning the nation’s 36 states, their feeders were rendered inactive, resulting in widespread blackouts across the country.

The grid’s output, which stood at 2984 megawatts as of 4 pm, plummeted to zero within the span of an hour, with all 21 plants connected to the grid ceasing operations by 5 pm.

This incident marks another setback for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which has been marred by persistent issues despite privatisation efforts aimed at revitalization.

Over the past decade since privatisation, the grid has experienced a staggering 141 collapses, underscoring the magnitude of the systemic challenges facing the industry.

As of the time of reporting at 6:00 pm, the Azura Power Plant was the sole facility contributing to the grid, albeit with a modest output of 54 megawatts.

Major power generation plants such as Egbin, Afam, Geregu, Ibom Power, Jebba, Kainji, Odukpani, and Olorunsogo, among others, remained dormant, further exacerbating the electricity deficit nationwide.

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“I Have No Hand In The Killing Of Soldiers” – Wanted Delta Monarch Cries Out After Turning Self In To Police

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The King of Ewu Kingdom in the Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State, Clement Ikolo, who is one of the eight persons declared wanted by the Defence Headquarters in connection with the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama community has turned himself in to the Delta State Police Command.

The monarch was said to have arrived the state police command headquarters at exactly 6:41pm on Thursday to report himself to Police Commissioner, Olufemi Abaniwonda.

Before he turned himself in to the police, the monarch spoke to journalists, insisting on his innocence in the matter.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed that they have him in custody. The police spokesman in the state, Bright Edafe, confirmed this to our correspondent.

Earlier on Thursday, the Defence Headquarters declared eight persons, including Ikolo wanted over their roles in the recent killing of 17 military personnel.

Those declared wanted are Prof. Ekpekpo Arthur, Andaowei Dennis Bakriri, Akevwru Daniel Omotegbo (Aka Amagben), Akata Malawa David, Sinclear Oliki; a traditional ruler, Clement Ikolo Oghenerukeywe; Reuben Baru, and Igoli Ebi.

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Don’t Criticize Nigeria In Your Sermons, Tinubu Warns Religious Leaders

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President Bola Tinubu has called on religious leaders to refrain from vilifying or denigrating the nation in their sermons.

Speaking during Ramadan Iftar with traditional rulers and religious leaders at the State House on Thursday in Abuja, the President emphasized the important role of religious leaders in shaping public opinion and fostering a sense of unity among citizens.

He urged the leaders to be more constructive in their criticism of those in elective positions.

President Tinubu also declared that his administration is determined to turn Nigeria’s challenges into prosperity.

He reiterated that no terrorist can defeat the collective will of Nigerians, no matter how hard they try to prey on innocent citizens.

He urged traditional and religious leaders to forge a strong bond with the government to defeat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of criminality in the country.

”Yesterday in Abuja, I attended the burial of the 17 soldiers killed in action at Okuama, Delta State. I saw their pregnant wives and little kids.

”The love of the nation is in your hands. Pray for our country. Educate our children. The sermons we preach to the members of our churches and mosques are important.

”Do not condemn your own nation. As a Yoruba man and as our fathers will say, ‘No matter how slippery the bottom of your child is, you must leave the beads there.’

”Leave the beads there. This is your country; do not condemn it in sermons, do not abuse the nation. Leadership is meant for change.

”Yes, this leader is bad, fine. Wait until the next election to change him, but do not condemn your country. Do not curse Nigeria. This is a beautiful land.


The President, who acknowledged the birthday wishes and goodwill extended to him on the occasion, reminded the leaders that his birthday on March 29, 2024, coincided with Good Friday.

”I have earned the honour of having my birthday fall on Good Friday, and I pray that on this Maundy Thursday, you all shall return to your homes safely. May God guide and keep you and your families in good health, and lift your spirits,” the President prayed.

Different speakers at the dinner expressed gratitude for the opportunity to come together in the spirit of Ramadan to share a meal with the President and renew the bonds of friendship that unite the nation.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima emphasized the pivotal roles of religious and traditional rulers in promoting peace and unity, urging them to continue to ‘‘build bridges that transcend ethnic and religious divides.’’

The Vice-President expressed delight that the nation’s economy is on a rebound, noting the strengthening of the naira against the dollar.

”The President means well for the nation, and he has continued to redefine the meaning and concept of modern leadership.

”For many years, fuel subsidy was an albatross. The President took a bold decision from day one, and he hit the ground running. Now the economy is turning the corner,” the Vice-President said.

Speaking on behalf of the Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, assured the President of the unwavering support of traditional rulers and commended the government’s efforts to address the hike in food prices and the security challenges.

”You are not alone, Mr. President. The prices of food items and goods are gradually coming down. You are doing your best on security, and we cannot allow you to do it alone. We will join hands to support your vision for the betterment of our nation,” the Ooni said.

Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Zazzau, speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), highlighted the significance of Ramadan as a period of reflection, empathy, and unity.

On the security situation in the country, the Emir of Zazzau, who represented the Sultan of Sokoto and President General of NSCIA, expressed optimism that the country will return to peace and stability.

”I am happy to see representatives of Muslim and Christian communities in this room. I pray God Almighty blesses the President for him to do more to take the country to the Promised Land,” the Emir prayed.

Apostle Samson Fatokun, General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), noted that the Ramadan dinner with religious and traditional leaders, coincided with Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter, observed in commemoration of Jesus Christ’s institution of the Eucharist during the Last Supper.

The General Secretary, who delivered the address of CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, commended President Tinubu for fostering a harmonious relationship between the State and the Church.

”We are encouraged that your administration has shown great determination in tackling the challenges of kidnapping and banditry and bringing to justice the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

”We shall continue to show our support to your administration so that you can execute your noble intention for the nation,” CAN General Secretary said.

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