Folagade Banks youth inspiration story captivates young Nigerians as he joins Kunle Afolayan and others at Noella Foundation’s mentorship event in Lagos.
Folagade Banks youth inspiration journey took centre stage in Lagos as the popular skit maker and actor joined the Minister for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom, and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan at a youth empowerment event hosted by the Noella Foundation.
The programme, themed “Inspiring the Next Generation,” brought together hundreds of young Nigerians from different backgrounds to engage with accomplished personalities who have made significant impact in their fields.
The Noella Foundation, founded by Seyi Tinubu — son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — and his wife, Layal Tinubu, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering Nigerian youths through mentorship, education, and capacity-building projects. It also runs outreach programmes on child welfare and community development across the country.
Sharing his experience, Folagade Banks, whose real name is Abiri Tobi Festus, spoke passionately about his path to success, urging young people to pursue their dreams with determination and consistency.
“There were times I would travel from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, to Lagos just to shoot a scene for ₦20,000. It wasn’t about the money; it was about passion and purpose,” he said, drawing applause from the audience.
The Folagade Banks youth inspiration speech highlighted the value of resilience in creative industries.
He recalled how his dedication transformed him from a campus skit actor to one of Nigeria’s most recognisable online personalities through his comic character, Mama Deola.
“I started with Mama Deola, and many thought that was all I could do,” he explained. “But with time and consistency, I’ve evolved beyond comedy, playing different characters — from matron to mother and more. Consistency is what makes the difference.”
Veteran filmmaker Kunle Afolayan also addressed the gathering, emphasising authenticity and cultural preservation in storytelling. He urged emerging filmmakers to stay true to their roots while adopting innovative approaches.
Representing the Minister for Youth Development, a senior official from the ministry praised the Noella Foundation for bridging gaps between government and private initiatives in youth development.
He noted that partnerships of this kind are crucial in tackling unemployment and promoting creativity as a driver of national growth.
The event concluded with an interactive session where participants exchanged ideas with the panellists on how to tap into opportunities within the creative and entrepreneurial sectors.
The Folagade Banks youth inspiration narrative left attendees motivated, reinforcing the event’s message that passion, discipline, and perseverance remain key ingredients for lasting success.
