The Imo State Government, through the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt, in collaboration with Lens for Good, successfully organized a three-day intensive creative workshop tagged “Youth Impact 2025” for 3,000 youths drawn from the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
The event, which held from October 23 to 25, 2025, at the Landmark Event Centre, Owerri, brought together over 3,000 young Imolites for specialized training in photography, videography, cinematography, and content creation.
The program was spearheaded by Mr. Nosa Asemota, Special Assistant to the President on Visual Communications and CEO of Lens for Good, in partnership with the Imo State Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt.
The workshop was designed to equip young participants with the technical skills and creative mindset required to thrive in the ever-evolving world of digital storytelling and media entrepreneurship.
Outstanding participants were presented with iPads, smartphones, and starter packs to help them kick-start their creative journeys.
During the grand finale, renowned photographer, filmmaker, and actor Mr. Mike Afolarin delivered an inspiring motivational address, sharing his personal journey of struggles and triumphs in the creative industry.
He encouraged Imo youths, particularly those who took part in the training, to remain consistent, innovative, and purposeful in their pursuit of excellence.
One of the major highlights of the event was Panel Session 2, themed “Storytelling for Impact,” which featured an engaging discussion among seasoned creatives including Nosa Asemota, Jara George, Bolanle Olukanni, Ayo Adeagbo, and Mike Afolarin.
The panelists explored the connection between creativity and purpose, emphasizing that authentic storytelling possesses the power to transform societies and reshape national narratives.
In his closing remarks, the Imo State Commissioner for Youth Development and Talent Hunt, Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu, commended Lens for Good and the participants for the success of the workshop.
The Commissioner described the initiative as a laudable step toward empowering Imo youths and fostering innovation within the creative sector.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Special Adviser to the President on Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Mr. Ayo Adeagbo, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the creative industry.
He noted that under the Renewed Hope Administration, President Tinubu’s government would continue to encourage creativity across the nation. “We want Lens for Good to reach every state in Nigeria,” he stated, while wishing all participants success in their creative pursuits.
Winners of the various workshop categories emerged from across the state. In the Photography category, Fortunate Prosper, Obinna Augustine, Njoku Justice, Nnamdi Blessing, Daniel Chinwendu, Ogueke Lazarus, Peculiar Amarachi, Precious Ezeji, Amadi Rita, and others won a group cash prize of ₦3 million.
In the Videography category, Innocent Ukah, Ijeoma Onyeukwu, Abiaziem Daniel, and their teammates also received a group cash prize of ₦3 million.
For Content Creation, winners were awarded ₦3 million for their creativity in digital media production.
In the Photography Projects segment, Stephen Uhanaja emerged the top winner and received a brand-new mirrorless Canon camera, while Obasi Uzoma, Osondu Cicilia Uchechukwu, and others each went home with cash prizes totaling ₦3 million.
Some of the winners who spoke expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the training.
They commended the management of Lens for Good for the positive impact made on their digital skills, while applauding Governor Hope Uzodimma, whom they described as a leader with a large heart and a genuine passion for youth empowerment.
They pledged to utilize their newly acquired skills to contribute positively to society.
Expressing his joy after the successful completion of the three-day training, Commissioner Dr. Emeka Mandela Ukaegbu encouraged Imo youths, especially those who received equipment, to utilize their skills productively in the digital space.
He also advised those who did not receive items not to lose hope but to remain connected to the activities of the Ministry of Youth Development and Talent Hunt in the state.
He commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for supporting the program and providing an enabling environment for its success. Dr. Ukaegbu further lauded Lens for Good for projecting a positive image of Imo State through the training initiative.
He assured Imo youths of the Ministry’s commitment to continuous empowerment programs aimed at raising the standard of youth development in the state.
Meanwhile, Amb. Blessing Fubara, CEO of D’Consiglories Limited and Lead Consultant for Project HOPE (NDDC), commended the Imo State Government, Lens for Good, and Imo youths for the success of the three-day creative workshop in Owerri.
Speaking to journalists after the three-day training, he (Amb. Blessing), the Bralolo VI of Opobo Kingdom, praised Governor Hope Uzodimma for supporting youth development and lauded Commissioner Dr. Emeka Mandela for effective leadership.
He urged participants to apply their newly acquired digital skills to create positive societal impact, emphasizing that digital and residual skills are essential for global relevance and sustainable youth empowerment.
The 19th Republic President of the Imo State University (IMSU) Student Union Government (SUG), Comr. Ijezie Brendan Daberechukwu (Ikenga), expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for the successful execution of the youth empowerment programme.
He commended the initiative as a laudable step toward equipping young people with practical skills and opportunities for self-reliance.
Comr. Ijezie also extended his gratitude to the management of Lens for Good for their professionalism and commitment to youth capacity development.
He further praised the Hon. Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr. Mandela, for his inclusive leadership style and for ensuring that Imo youths—particularly students—are actively carried along in the government’s empowerment and development agenda.
Also, another Imo female youth who benefited, Ijeoma Ann Osondu, appreciated the organisers and the State Government for remembering the youths but called for sustainability of the digital empowerment programme.
