She is the President, Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) from 2011 till date, Deputy Director, Visual Arts, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Abuja. She runs weekend Art Club for school children. Mrs. Ngozi Rosemary Akande is also the Country Coordinator, Nigeria Arts Olympiad, Consultant on Children Arts and Culture, and a researcher in Traditional/Contemporary African Arts, among others. In this interview with Omolara Akintoye, she spoke extensively about her achievement as the President, FEAAN, how she is giving back to the society and how inter tribal marriage makes one to be accommodating and tolerant, among others
AT what point did you decide to be an artist and are you fulfilled?
In my secondary school days, being a technical college we had opportunity to choose courses we could study from Form 3. We had Home Economics department, Secretarial Studies, Fine Arts and Building Technology. My Fine Arts teacher really influenced me. I enjoyed his class. It was then I made up my mind to study Fine Arts. It was not an easy decision as my parents did not find it funny. They wanted me to study secretarial studies because they get job easily. I was deprived of one-year school fees because they did not want me to study fine arts. At Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, I also had an ugly experience that would have discouraged me from practicing art as a profession; instead I became more determined to practice art.
I am fulfilled as I have contributed in empowering and mentoring younger ones and others in the profession. I have contributed in giving the female artists a voice in the art scene. Today, more female artists are willing to practice art. Despite my challenges at the Ahmadu Bello University, I still went there for my Masters and Ph.D. just to prove a point that I can do it, and no one can discourage me.
What other vocation would you have chosen apart from being an artist?
I would have become a lawyer or an architect.
Tell us about your works
I’ve have been practicing art since 1986, I had worked in different media, including installation, pastel, mixed media, oil and water colour. I was among the second set of artists who participated in “Unity through Arts” by Guinness Nigeria in 1991. One of my paintings; “Life First Food,” pastel on paper, which featured in the exhibition was used by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a campaign photo for exclusive breast feeding in Nigerian hospitals for a period of 10 years (1992-2002).
What are your goals and achievement as the President, Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEEAN)?
As the president of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria, (FEAAN), I initiated several projects and collaborations that have impacted on the lives of the members. I had organised exhibitions continuously for seven years, and developed relationships with international community that resulted in the association. FEAAN did not depend on government for assistance. These partnerships have resulted in two members of the association travelling to china for art workshop training in 2016 and 2017. Three members are currently enjoying full post graduate scholarship at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja.
What are the causes of domestic violence and how can it be curbed?
The cause of domestic violence is complex and lack of respect for the female gender due to the upbringing of children in African society where the male-child is preferred to a female-child. Other causes are intolerance and lack of understanding. Most people rush into marriage without understanding their partners. Marriage is give and take; you should be able to cope with the weaknesses of your spouse and try to turn the weaknesses to strengths. Spouses should appreciate one another. As a woman, know when to defend your husband especially when he is at his lowest state, protect him from ridicule. Don’t expose his weakness, likewise the man to the woman.
Who is your husband and how did you meet each other?
I met my husband in a vehicle while travelling from Zaria to Kano to deliver a portrait I made for some clients in 1985; I was in my final year at ABU then. He came to do his IT at ABG Electronics in Kaduna. He was travelling to Kano to see his uncle. One thing led to another. I and Engr. Oladipo Thomas Akande, from Ogidi Ijumu Kingdom of Kogi State, courted for five years before we got married in Dec. 1990. He studied Electrical Engineering at the University of Ilorin. We exited the same time as he finished secondary school same year I finished 1981, attended university same year and we love the same music.
What is your opinion about intertribal marriage?
Getting married to a non tribe is not new to me as my mum is not Ibo. I am happy in my marriage; my husband is my best friend. He will not want any other person to take his position in my life. We love and support each other. Inter tribal marriage, for me, is good. Your perception about human character will also change. You will be more accommodating and tolerant.
How can government revive the art and culture in the country?
Government can revive arts and culture by investing more in the sector. Structures should be put in place to promote arts and culture in order to generate revenue and increase the county’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The country should build standard museums and galleries to showcase our art work, crafts and culture.