The founder of Black History and Lifestyle Awards (BHLA), Mrs. Eziada Folashade Balogun, in partnership with Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), hosted the maiden edition of Youth in Creativity 1.0, bringing together vision, expertise, and a shared commitment to supporting Nigeria’s young creatives.
The event, a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of BHLA, was held on December 3, 2025, and transformed the YABATECH campus into a vibrant hub of creativity, learning, and opportunity for young talents across different creative fields.
The programme was hosted by media personality Layole Oyatogun, whose lively presence and smooth delivery kept participants engaged throughout the day as activities moved from one session to another.
From early hours, excitement filled the campus as more than 1,000 young creatives arrived, eager to learn, network, and showcase their talents. Participants settled in for a full day of empowerment sessions designed to inspire practical growth and career direction.
In her keynote address, Mrs. Balogun described creativity as a strong driver of today’s economy and encouraged young people to take their ideas seriously. She urged participants to “dream boldly, learn fearlessly, and create relentlessly,” noting that with access and support, creative ideas can become sustainable careers.
Representing the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Angel Bismilai delivered a goodwill message and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to nurturing young talent. He said the partnership with BHLA marked the start of a long-term movement to equip young Nigerians with relevant skills to turn creativity into real impact.
The event featured panel discussions with leading figures in Nigeria’s creative industry, including Bimpe Onakoya, Ugochukwu George Igbokwe, Emmy Kasbit, Kid Baby, Anita Asianya, Tope Adenola, Tolu Arogunmati, Gift Vincent, Ololade Amina Afolabi-Borogun, and Omosalewa Ogunnowo, among others. The panelists shared honest insights on building resilience, navigating challenges, and turning passion into opportunity.
Distinguished guests in attendance included the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Tayo Akinmade Ayinde, and the Executive Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area, Moyosore Adebanjo, whose presence reflected strong institutional support for youth empowerment.
Participants also took part in masterclasses and hands-on Creative Labs covering fashion design, digital content creation, photography, makeup artistry, and hairstyling. At the end of the sessions, items such as sewing machines, smartphones, makeup kits, and professional hairstyling tools were distributed to support participants in building sustainable creative careers. The initiative received wide attention.
