The Edo State Government, through the Victor Uwaifo Creative Studio and Sound Stage (VUHSS), has formed a partnership with ROK Studios on the production of 50 films in the state for distribution across its network.

The partnership has birthed training programmes for creatives and other youths in the state on scriptwriting, cinematography, and sound engineering.

The 7-day training held at the Edo Innovation Hub in Benin, had participants drawn from the 18 local government areas of the state.

Speaking on the development, the Managing Director of Edo State Skills Development Agency, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, said the Victor Uwaifo Creative Studio and Sound Stage was part of efforts by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to up-skill content creators in Edo State with the sole vision of transforming the state into a hub for Nigeria’s creative industry.

She said: “A wonderful opportunity we have in Edo today is the ongoing partnership between the Victor Uwaifo Creative Studio and Sound Stage and ROK Studios.

“The partnership between VUHSS and ROK Studio began in January, and since then, it has boosted the visibility of the hub and made it a beehive of buzz and activity.

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“We are happy about the partnership. We are looking forward to the jobs that will be made available. We are happy about the response of the Edo creatives because they are taking advantage of the opportunity. Through this partnership, ROK Studios will be shooting 50 films in Edo and we are excited about this.

“Currently, auditions and casting for roles for movies are currently ongoing at the sound stage, including the shooting of the series, Blood of Enogie,” Dare stated.

One of the beneficiaries, Imose Blessing, who spoke to newsmen after the training, said: “I benefited from the training organized by VUHSS and ROK STUDIOS. I opted for scriptwriting, and for those seven days, I can confidently boast that my writing skills and my knowledge and practice of scriptwriting have greatly improved. Also, the certificate I got has made me a certified scriptwriter.

“I want to give special thanks to our Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and to the MD, Mrs. Ukinebo Dare, who has carried the MEGA vision for Edo State to great heights, and have ensured that Edo residents have benefited from this partnership through Internships, casting on set, training, certification, and lots more.”

The Star