By Josephine Agbonkhese
Winnie Okpapi, Chief Operating Officer, The Grid Management, a Lagos-based integrated talent solutions company, has assured that Grid Tools, the first offering from the stables of Grid Management, will change the narratives for players in the creative industry.

“Grid Tools is a lifeline for the heroes who drive Nigeria’s creative and entertainment industry,” she told Allure at a media hangout in Lagos, yesterday.

“Among other things, it will ensure the well-being of these amazing talents, making sure they get their rightful compensation and value.

The product designed to address the gaps in the creative industry, according to the Microsoft certified professional with an over ten years of experience in talent/client management, designing and project management, leverages on solutions such as health insurance, retirement savings plan, asset financing, legal advisory, personal branding, public relations, content marketing, travel assistance, and much more, to enhance productivity amongst creatives.

“It captures essential solutions that aim to empower talents, professionals, and a diverse range of creative individuals with benefits that have typically been reserved for the traditional 9-5 workforce,” the Covenant University graduate of Information Engineering who holds an MA in Arts and Culture Management from Rome Business School and Valecian International University, Spain, said.

“Grid Tools is basically a catalyst for every Nigerian creative, designed to put them on the global map. Although it is also open to other professionals, our target is basically players in creative industry, whether aspiring, emerging or accomplished.

“This is because it has become obvious that we really need to take care of our creatives. Among other things, we want to get past the stage where we see veterans coming out to cry for help over any form of preventable misfortune, financial or health challenges.

“With health, for example, having been a massive concern over the years for creatives in Nigeria who have poured their heart and soul into the craft without giving a second thought to well-being, Grid Tools has put in place a comprehensive health insurance that can be extended to their loved ones and family,” added Winny who was formerly Head of Talents, Arts and Strategy at the Temple Company, where she had represented a lot of talents across the creative sector.

Also speaking, Brands & Communications Manager, The Grid Management, Dapo Akintoye, reiterated: “We have a thriving creative industry that is blessing the global stage. So, we want to take care of the elements within the creative industry as well.

“Everyone in the creative industry, whether entertainment, beauty, fashion, sports, or whatever, will definitely find a suitable plan that fits into their needs under Grid Tools.”

As part of initiatives to drive the agenda of transforming the lives of players in the creative industry, Okpapi earlier hinted that the management had concluded plans to organise a virtual webinar aimed at giving all talents deeper insights on how to transition and overhaul their careers in 2024.

“This webinar holding December 12th, 2023, would be packed with expertly selected key speakers from different creative industries in Nigeria,” she disclosed.