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First@Arts
Promoting creative arts, sustaining entertainment, creativity and cultural development .
First@Arts Initiative – an integrated approach to supporting creative arts
First@arts is FirstBank’s platform for consolidating all its efforts in the arts, supporting the entire value chain of the creative arts, providing much needed financing and advisory services, showcasing and facilitating the successes of the industry, and enabling customers explore the wealth of opportunities the creative industry has to offer.
The Bank’s involvement in promoting arts, under the First@arts initiative continuously projects the FirstBank brand as a supporter of creativity and ultimately national cohesion. The Bank has been able to build, sustain and foster unity as well as promote entertainment and cultural development, through its arts sponsorship, which essentially supports the entire value chain within the creative arts industry.
The Bank has worked with partners such as British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture and the Cross Rivers State Government (Calabar Festival), among several others, to achieve these aspirations.
First@Arts Activations
17th Headies Awards- Theme: Back to Base
The Headies, Nigeria's premier music awards, has been celebrating excellence in music since 2006, with over 16 years of showcasing talent. In a landmark move, FirstBank is set to become the first bank to partner with the Headies, further solidifying its commitment to supporting the arts and entertainment industry in Nigeria. This year’s edition has an extraordinary lineup of events, culminating in a week-long celebration of the entertainment industry’s growth and artistic ingenuity. The 17th Headies event schedule commences on the 3rd of April 2025 with the U.S. Consulate Reception in honour of The Headies, The Headies Creative Summit (The Business of Music Production in partnership with NIFS) on 23rd – 24th April, and climax with the awards ceremony on the 27th of April 2025.
Lagos International Theatre Festival (LITF)
LITF is a vibrant three-day extravaganza. Scheduled to run November 15-17th from 12pm to 9pm daily. Four venues across Lagos will come alive with a diverse range of performances and each venue will be transformed into a theatrical hub, buzzing with vendors and interactive activities, making LITF a truly immersive experience.
Visit the Lagos International Theatre Festival website to purchase tickets.
Kurunmi
Experience the captivating drama of "Kurunmi", a play by the esteemed Nigerian playwright Ola Rotimi. Set in the historic Yoruba kingdom of Oyo, "Kurunmi" delves into themes of political intrigue, military leadership, and societal transformation. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a compelling portrayal of Yoruba history and culture.
The oxymoron of Kenny Blaq
The 4th edition of "The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq" is an award-winning Comedy production sponsored under our First@arts initiative. The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq been celebrated for its unique blend of humour, creativity, and cultural relevance. The forthcoming 4th edition of "The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq" is specially designed to extend the entertainment experience beyond comedy.
Eni Ogun
The Noble Warrior is a theatre performance in honour of Professor Wole Soyinka @ 90. Written by Aiye-ko-ooto and produced by Adubiifa Network Company in collaboration with Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE), Eni Ogun is set to tell the historic story of the successful defeat of the colonial forces at the hands of natives. This story intends to reposition the truth in history and showcase the repercussions of cultural invasions and the fight for freedom against imposing powerful colonial invasions. It is indeed time for Africans to tell their own stories and with Eni Ogun, we proudly celebrate our dynamism as Africans and also celebrate Nigeria’s Living Legend at 90 years.
Oke Langbodo
A reimagination of the 1977 play Langbodo by Nigerian Dramatist Wale Ogunyemi, adapted from Wole Soyinka's 'The Forest of a Thousand Daemons', which in turn is a translation of the Yoruba novel, ' Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irunmole'.
