FirstBank has inaugurated a new entertainment hub, Bluu TV, as part of its commitment to supporting the creative arts industry in Nigeria.
At the launch of Bluu TV on Friday, which also doubled as the premiere of an original series on the platform, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Segun Alebiosu, said that the creative arts industry had the potential to drive economic growth in Nigeria.
Through its First@Arts Initiative, FirstBank has sponsored a stage play, Kurunmi and the Lagos International Theatre Festival in recent weeks to drive productivity and job creation in the sector.
Alebiosu, who was represented by the Group Executive, Private Banking and Wealth Management, Idowu Thompson, said, “I am most delighted to welcome you to this grand premiere of the captivating series, A Heart on the Line and the official launch of First Bank’s Bluu TV, a dynamic hub for African entertainment, lifestyle content, drama and everything in between creativity and innovation. It is such an honour to be part of this historical yet exciting event.
“Over the years, FirstBank has been deliberate about its support for the creative arts, a developing sector which has great potential to drive the nation’s economic growth and as a foremost financial institution woven into the fabric of the society.
We recognise the significance of the creative arts in shaping our culture, promoting our values as a people and inspiring positive change amongst others.”
According to Alebiosu, through the First@Arts initiative, the lender has consistently supported the legacy of arts, and culture.
“We also promote several activities that engender unity, education and entertainment, which are major dividends of the creative arts. The launch of Bluu TV is a major milestone achievement at the bank not because we are early adopters of this youth-centric initiative in the industry but because of the opportunity that this initiative affords us,” he remarked.
The Director/Producer of the series, Abimbola Craig, appreciated the bank for its support, saying, “This has been two-and-half years in the making. It was just an idea to see whether something could come out of it. From coming on board as a project manager, Bluu TV was birthed. From Bluu TV’s birth, we shopped around for the kind of content that we wanted for the platform and settled on A Heart On The Line. I want to thank FirstBank.
“In the times that we are in, it is easy for people to say that they want to come into the world of filmmaking. It takes a lot of gumption to back it up and two years later, based on their patience, understanding and willingness to push through, we have A Heart on The Line.”
