Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

Renowned writer and scholar Prof Akachi Ezeigbo, whose works continue to illuminate the literary landscape of the world, bares her mind on some issues ranging from her latest collection of short stories to her feminist theory, the perils of revolution and the Nigerian situation as well as why writers should be relentless in their quest for quality change in the society in this interview with Damola Kola-Dare.

WHAT inspired the title of your latest collection of short stories, Magic Breast Bags?

It is the title of a story in the collection of about 12 stories. It is a very inspirational story about entrepreneurship. It centres on how graduates or jobless people can be self-employed, create jobs for themselves and others and make money to become comfortable. It tells us not to be dependent on government job, especially if we are skilled, and to train our graduates properly so that when they come out they don’t start looking for jobs. The story is set in the past, in the aftermath of the Second World War; so it is not a story about today. There is a woman in the story who developed through entrepreneurship. She had the skill to make bras in her community. But most of the women then didn’t wear bras. When she started making bra, which she learnt from the whites in an institute, she became a hot cake as many women began to patronise her. She later became so rich that even women from other communities bought from her. The title is from Igbo language because bra means ‘breast bag’ in Igbo. So, it is a story of one being creative and imaginative to survive. Apart from getting rich, she also created employment.

Could you give an insight into Snail-Sense Feminism?

It is my own feminist theory, which I describe as homegrown. It is an offshoot of Womanism or African Feminism. It models itself on the idea of negotiation, dialogue and collaboration. It advises women not to be aggressive or confrontational, but they can get what they want through determination and persistence. This theory essentially preaches the adoption of dialogue in the society at large as opposed to violence and terrorism. The theory agrees that women are oppressed, have few rights and are often subjugated. For instance, rape has become the order of the day as well as domestic violence and abuse. Women are really having it raw. It states that women should fight for their rights in a logical manner. Essentially, women should not resort to hatred or aggressiveness to break free from shackles of oppression. Separatism or Radical Feminism, which originated in the Western world, should also not be entertained because African culture forbids some oddities, for instance same sex marriage or lesbianism.

Critics should note that the theory is not focusing on the physical appearance of a snail but its character, wisdom and the way it negotiates with all the objects around without being hurt. It is based on an Igbo proverb that says: ‘A snail crawls over daunting obstacles through a well-lubricated tongue’.

Dialogue is very crucial at all levels of human life. We would have probably averted the civil war if there was proper and sound dialogue by the parties involved. The war had devastating effects and still, we have not learnt from it. We are still doing the things that caused the war. It is so sad!

In The Children of the Eagle, you seemingly painted a larger-than-life portrait of women; is that not an exaggeration?

I do not think there is anything in the novel that is larger-than-life. In fiction, sometimes when we are exploring experiences, they become concentrated in certain aspects, and in creating characters one may bring different aspects to create such characters. In the novel, we have real life experiences transmuted into fiction. That is how we can transmute historical experiences or daily life experiences into fiction – you fictionalise it.

As a writer, can you get tired over the Nigerian situation: cyber crime, leadership crisis, youth unemployment, prostitution etc?

One thing about writing is that you do not get tired; you do not give up, unless your ideas dry up. In a country like Nigeria there is always something to write about. This country with the way it is provides a writer with so many subjects, ideas and themes to explore. As  a writer, you cannot be tired once there are things that go wrong in your society, that is part of what you do, you highlight them. Most African writers, that is what we do, we look at our society and explore the idea of things that are wrong there; for instance writers like Chinua Achebe, Ngugi Wa Thiongo, Ayi Kwei Armah, Cyprian Ekwensi, Buchi Emecheta, Mabel Segun, and Flora Nwapa. The problems in the society imbue the writers with ideas and what to write about. Sometimes it could also be a happy thing, it does not have to be negativity all the time. Just like Wole Soyinka said: ‘A writer is the voice of the nation’. And he lives that life as a social critic. Achebe also lived it. They would always reprimand and caution the society. So, if writers stop talking, many things will go wrong.

How do you react to Sowore’s ‘Revolution Now’ protest, bearing in mind the Arab Spring of past years?

I do not believe in revolution because it can be bloody and destructive. But I believe in transformation because it involves a gradual process. That is why I agree with national dialogue, as it will help us come together to find a way through our problems. Revolution is a bit problematic as it may cause bloodshed, and I do not like that at all. Just like I detest what the Fulani herdsmen are doing. I was a young school girl during the civil war and I know what my family and I went through. I lost my brothers and cousins. I hate bloodshed. Our youth should not cause another civil with this so-called revolution.

It has even been suggested that the government should pick ideas from the report of the national confab of the Jonathan administration. The important thing is to do things that will get this country working again. I must say Nigeria is not working. The level of poverty, currently, is heart-breaking. Government needs to swing into action. But then again, revolution is not the answer. I agree with peaceful protests. For example, look at the French Revolution, it did not achieve its aim but resulted in bloodshed.

As an advocate of unity and love, what’s your position on the suspended RUGA scheme?

I am not in support of the scheme. I do not think that is the way to solve the herdsmen/farmer’s crisis. Government can set up ranches in the location of all these herders. There are huge tracts and acres of land in the north. I once lived in the north, and you can drive hundreds of kilometers without seeing houses. Why don’t they build enclosed ranches there? Why are they coming down here to look for land when they have surplus land in the north? For example, in my state in Anambra, we are land-starved; so how can Ruga settlement be created there?

In the UK, US, even South Africa for instance, they have ranches and cattle are not allowed to stray at all. They stay in the enclosure all year round. So, Ruga does not make sense to me. The idea should be abrogated because it is going to cause many problems. I must say that allowing cattle to roam in the streets is very primitive. Nobody should be allowed to follow cows in this modern age.

I had this scary experience many years ago in Kaduna. I was driving to work with my baby at the back seat when suddenly a herd of cattle bobbed up on the road and nearly caused me a terrible accident, only for them to crack my windscreen before the herders manoeuvred them off the highway. What kind of country is allowing this to happen?

Finally, the title of your poem is ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’, does that apply to the country considering our multi-ethnic configuration?

Yes, you can describe me as an optimist. I do not believe one should lose hope at any time. Our God is watching and hearing our cries in this country. I know that Nigeria will get out of its woes someday. The only pain is that I do not know whether it will happen in my lifetime, but definitely it is going to happen. Just like Festus Iyayi, the famous Nigerian writer who died in a horrible accident caused by unruly citizens said: ‘It will not always be like this’. Things will change for the better. God will raise leaders by himself that will make Nigeria great again.

 

Determined to change the narrative on the restoration and promotion of Yoruba civilisation across the globe, The House of Odùduwà led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, in partnership with governments of Brazil, Cuba and over 20 countries, has initiated Oduduwa Mobile Museum.

The project, which promises lots of economic, political and socio-cultural benefits, seeks to draw global attention to the richness of Odùduwà culture and stimulate well-sustained healthy conversation and international collaborations.

The historic project will be unveiled on September 7, at the Brazilian Embassy in Lagos.

The event will last 60 days, during which over 1000 priceless cultural materials of African origin, will be moved from place to place within Lagos for all to see.

According to Princess Ronke Ademiluyi of The House of Oduduwa, the unveiling will be followed by a four-day exhibition of antiquities, art recreations of divinities and treasures of ancestors of the Odùduwà people.

“The cultural items slated for the exhibition will recall earliest and superb civilisation of the Odùduwà people spread across the world and the place of pre-eminence of the Odùduwà people in the history of mankind. The cultural items combine to reinforce the belief that, indeed, humanity originated from Ilé-Ifè?, the acclaimed origin of the Odùduwà people located in South Western part of Nigeria,” she added.

The museum project will enhance the promotion of the essence, values and beauty of Odùduwà cultural heritage; and it is aimed at attracting and coordinating various interests and groups across the globe for sustainable global peace and development initiatives that place emphasis on youth encouragement and development.

She stated that the mobile museum will serve as hub for the collection of diverse African cultural productions and knowledge-retrieval, knowledge-renewal and knowledge-production centre for ancient African material and intellectual cultures.

The Odùduwà Mobile Museum is committed to showcasing all these collections as part of the necessary reconstruction of the black man who increasingly is being scientifically proven to be the oldest specie of humanity.

The museum, which is first of its kind, is set to pursue the following objectives: to recognise the strategic importance of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) acknowledgment of the great benefits in the collaboration between the Municipal Secretariat of Culture of the City of Rio de Janeiro and the Kingdom of Ifè?, for the establishment of a House of Heritage, the Odùduwà Heritage House, in Rio de Janeiro; to work for the reinforcement of “the historic ties between Brazil and Africa” as recognised by the UNESCO; to valorise the “memory and the cultural diversity” of Africa as a way of enlarging the scope of valorising the memory and the cultural diversity at the Valongo Wharf, as inscribed on the World Heritage List in July 2017.

It is also to serve as the centre for the collection, protection, exhibition, and promotion of antiquities, treasures and traditional art forms of Africa; to embark on initiatives that can restore and reinforce the dignity of the African person such as the uprooted in the diaspora; and to work in all possible ways for healthy global cultural interaction which will afford African and Africans the rare privilege of showcasing their cultures and histories; to encourage more collaborations (local and international) between O?ò?ni of Ifè? and nations/institutions/organizations/individuals that may be interested in the preservation and promotion of African heritage and to promote rare positive virtues by which the Odùduwà hero/heroine is traditionally defined.

In recognition of the value of good memories and personalities worthy of emulation, the museum project will equally be committed to honoring and celebrating persons who are of Odùduwà ancestry and who are known to have performed or attained great feats as a way spurring other Odùduwà descendants to enviable heights.

Interestingly, the unveiling ceremony will coincide with Brazil’s 197th Independence Anniversary and thus provide a befitting celebration of her independence of September 7, 1822 on the continent of origin of millions of Brazilians.

On the affinity between Oduduwa people and Brazil, Princess Ademiluyi said that Brazil is the only country in the world with over 80 million Odùduwà descendants as part of her population. It noted that as a country that has adopted Yorùbá as official language (lingua franca), and the first country to collaborate with the House of Odùduwà on the promotion of African Heritage, the crucial place of Brazil in the project is worthy of note. “It is therefore appropriate that the museum project has been designed to have Ilé-Ifè? and Brazil as its split base,” it said.

To her, it cannot be any other time apart from now for the world to hear from and through Ilé-Ifè, where it all started the narrative of a continuum of the past, the present and the future.

The Ojora of Ijora Kingdom, Oba Abdulfatai Aremu Aromire, has urged Nigerians to remain steadfast with their cultural heritage, saying it should be their pride instead of embracing foreign culture. According to him, peace and development will return to Nigeria if Nigerians can stop relegating their culture.

He noted that countries, such as India, China and Italy, experience peace and harmony because they always observe and practise their culture.

Oba Abdulfatai, who spoke at the Isese festival organised by Association of African Traditional Religion of Nigeria and Overseas (AATREN) in honour of the monarch at his palace, described Yoruba culture as rich, interesting, honoured and respected in Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and some cities in America and West Africa.

He said the Chinese and Indians appreciate their festivals. He observed that it is unfortunate that Africans, especially, Yoruba people have allowed foreign religions to blindfold and discourage them from observing their tradition.

“In the olden days, our ancestors consult Ifa for what to do in providing solution to any challenge or preventing calamities that could befall any city. And everything went smoothly the moment the Ifa prescribed sacrifice and prayers offered. But today those things are dying gradually because Nigerians have embraced foreign religion.

He therefore appealed to Federal Government to set aside August 20 for traditionalists to pray and offer sacrifice that would stop corruption, insecurity and crimes in the country.

Jos-based Consultant Gynaecologist and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) specialist, Dr. Ken Egwuda speaks on the duration of IVF to achieve pregnancy, treatment cycle, its benefits and other sundry issues.

What is the duration of an IVF treatment cycle?

An IVF treatment cycle does not have a unified duration it is meant to span. The length of an IVF treatment cycle depends on the kind of IVF treatment that being administered. We have the short protocol or the antagonist protocol where the duration may just be between 12 to 14 days. It may extend to the third week in a slow responder. We equally have the long standard protocol of an IVF treatment cycle. This may last up to 4 weeks.

The duration of the IVF treatment cycle essentially depends on the rate of the response of the client to be administered medication. Some clients are observed to respond faster than others and the difference in the duration of the response may be between two and seven days. We have fast responders and slow responders. It may also depend on the rate at which the endometrium takes to build up to the level an embryo transfer is deemed fit as may be seen in those who require egg donation. There is no unified duration worldwide for  what the length of an IVF treatment cycle should be, the client need to be educated about the possibility of exceeding the exact length or duration that the couple may anticipate.

 Can there be any reason to have a prolong duration?

For the long standard protocol or the agonist protocol it could even extend beyond four and five weeks, in which case a client may be placed on an agonist treatment and will last for a long duration of time until it is convenient for the treating facility to commence stimulation. But, once the stimulation is commenced usually it wouldn’t last beyond 12 to 14 days. So, the length of IVF cycle is determined by the kind of protocol and the body response of the client to medication.

Another reason the IVF cycle can take longer than expected is the decision to have the embryos undergo genetic testing before embryo transfer. PGT-A, pre-implantation genetic testing- aneuploidy is the newest iteration of this type of testing. PGT-A can offer the highest degree of certainty for a genetically healthy child, particularly when partners are known carriers or at higher risk for passing on genetic diseases.

It appears that a lot of people have lived so long with negative words and reactions from the people around them that they now believe they are normal. Our society has become so negative that we believe bad news twice as fast as we believe good news. If you receive two messages on your mobile phone, one stating that you just won N500,000 in a promo and the other stating that 180 people just died in a plane crash, which would you readily believe? How did we arrive at this point? How come we are in a place in our lives where we doubt good and believe bad?

Abraham Lincoln made a profound statement which has been rendered in different ways but it generally states, “If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will”.  Similarly, whoever looks for the bad in life expecting to find it will surely do. Don’t misunderstand me; my argument is not that there is nothing bad in life or that you should believe every promotional hoax that comes your way. All I’m saying is you need a positive attitude to achieve positive result in life. According to Les Brown, “When life knocks you down, make sure you land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up”. That is what I call a good attitude towards life. Those who are depressed are in a state of hopelessness. Hope is the reason you wake up in the morning and try again despite the failures of yesterday. Where there is no hope, people put an end to their lives because they don’t foresee a better future. Rather than having a “No more” attitude, why not try a “One more time” attitude? Some attitudes open us up to possibilities of progress while some others close us up to them.

Here are a few suggestions of how you can build a positive attitude:

• Find solutions in problems: Zig Ziglar once stated that though he was never into counselling, he had spoken to persons in psychology, psychiatry and ministry who counseled people, and they all agreed that not everyone who came for counselling needed a solution. According to him, “A lot of people are just looking for who to tell about it. And if you spoil the show by solving the problem, then they can’t tell everyone about it. They want the attention that goes with the problem”. This, perhaps, explains why a lot of people look for, hold onto and cherish problems. They need to be able to compare notes with other people. They may even begin to feel odd if other people are complaining and they don’t have anything to complain about. Rather than ‘enjoying” problems and using our situations to justify how bad our nation has become, let us look out for solutions and become examples of how one can beat all odds to succeed.
• Understand that you are special: You have something special to give that no one else can. Everyone was created with a gift to give to humanity; the discovery of that gift is what is called purpose. If you discover your purpose, you will realise that you are relevant, important and valuable. Let that give you a reason to look forward to the goodness in life. Someone may ask, “what if my hope is disappointed?” I will ask, “What if your hope is achieved?” Your glorious destiny is worth the try. And even if you are disappointed, you should get up and try again.
• Think good and speak good: my favourite book says that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What you see outside you is a reflection of what is inside you. If you give up on the inside, you will lack the physical energy to go on. According to Norman Vincent Peale, “Change your thoughts and you change your world”. Robert H. Schuller went further to say, “It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts”. It is quite easy to think bad thoughts; I challenge you to think good thoughts today! Don’t allow any person or situation to convince you that you are just not good enough because you are.

Thanks for reading my article today. I would really love to hear from you. So, do share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu. Remember, you are currently nothing compared to what you can become. This can be your year if you want it to be!

Youths have been enjoined to harness their potential, energy and creativity to contribute to the socio-economic growth of the country.

The call was made at the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria Youth Conference with the theme: Transforming education; rethinking the present.

According to JCI National President Adetola Juyitan, youths have significant roles to play in providing the solutions to the problem of inclusiveness and access to quality education across the country, regardless of their backgrounds.

She said: “Youths must begin to embrace a digital mindset if they are really interested in causing any change in our society. They all must rise above their present holdbacks and challenge themselves to take on new actionable ideas that are in tune with the reality of the present age.”

A major highlight of the event,  held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in commemoration of this year’s International Youth Day, was the celebration of 10 brilliant young Nigerians with diverse contributions to the development of the country.

Popular music artiste  Folarin Falana, known by his stage name Falz, and founder of LifeBank, Temie Giwa-Tubosun made the list of JCI Nigeria Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP). The list featured honorees in different categories which include “Personal Development Award”, “Scientific and Technological Development Award”, and “Medical Innovation”.

Falz and Giwa-Tubosun were adjudged the winners of the Cultural Achievement and Medical Innovation categories. Falz was praised for his brand of rap music, while Giwa-Tubosun, Nigerian-American health manager, for founding a business enterprise in Nigeria working to improve access to blood transfusions in the country.

Other honorees included Adeola Adefemi, Glory Osei, Naomi Ekpoki, Folarin Falana (Falz), Oluwaseun Osowobi, Temie Giwa-Tubosun, Bilikis Adebiyi-Abiola, Lauretta Onye, Samson Itodo and Onyeka Akumah.

Commending them for their dedication and perseverance, despite all odds, Juyitan urged other youths to borrow a leaf from the awardees in putting Nigeria on the world map.

Ogun State Governor’s wife Mrs Bamidele Abiodun applauded the Ten Outstanding Young Persons for their optimism. She urged them to remain committed to the country’s development, striving for self-development and finding innovative ways to positively make an impact.

She stated that providing equal opportunities for the education of the youth is the core of her personal project as well as the one of the focus of the state’s administration led by her husband, Mr Dapo Abiodun, while adding that she is committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of the United Nation (UN).

Mrs Abiodun also commended JCI Nigeria for its contribution towards youth development in Nigeria despite the overwhelming challenges.

Also, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Ketil Karlsen made an urgent call-to-action for every youth to ensure that inclusive and equitable access to education was made possible to everyone by the digital age.

On his part, Director, United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Nigeria, Robert Kayanda, revealed that the commemoration of the historic day, which has been ongoing for 20 years, forms part of United Nations agenda to support the youth.

According to him, “the choice of the theme was timely given that United Nations as an organisation was already making effort to ensure that Nigeria’s education system is fit for the digital age”.

Notable scholars and university dons have stressed the need for a stronger and vigorous advocacy for the development and promotion of the Arts and Humanities.

The scholars spoke at the opening of the fourth Education and Humanities International Conference, with the theme Humanities and the Arts in a Global World: Traditions and New Directions, hosted by the Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo Ogun State.

They observed that the continued marginalisation and relegation of the humanities is the bane of development on the African continent.

Drawn from various public and private universities in and outside Nigeria, the dons called for the recognition of the benefits of the Arts and Humanities, noting that investment in the Humanities would restore societal harmony and wealth creation.

Held inside the Super Hall of the university, the conference rallied scores of distinguished scholars and guests from far and near, who interrogated the theme of the conference in their various submissions.

President/Vice Chancellor of Babcock University Prof Ademola S. Tayo set the tone by urging dons to relate to new developments in their areas of specialisation. He reiterated that Arts and Humanities combine knowledge with creativity and spirituality, hence practitioners in the fields must learn how to apply their expertise in the service of humanity by keeping abreast of new developments and global happenings in their areas of concern.

Buttressing the VC was Dr. Abiodun Adesegun, Dean, Babcock University’s School of Education and Humanities, who hinted that the conference was aimed at revisiting methods of generating research ideas in the Arts and Humanities that aim at solving societal problems. Noting that the Arts and Humanities face many challenges based on core issues of culture, language, values, ethnic and historical factors, Adesegun urged dons to create a new nexus with other disciplines, adding that no one is properly educated until one learned about other people’s cultures.

In his keynote address entitled:  ‘The Humanities and national development’, Prof. Adekunle Adeniran, who represented Professor Ayo Banjo, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, made a case for a blend of traditions with new directions. He explained that dons should imbibe the culture of studying the old to discover the new, noting that the discourse on the theme of the conference must be followed with actions by all practitioners in the Arts and Humanities.

His words:  ‘’Our research postulations and follow up findings together should, like compass, guide directions to widen and deepen man’s understanding of his existence, things of pleasure to him but also of his predicament and vulnerability in the volatile and dynamic world in which he lives.’’

According to Adeniran, Arts and Humanities is a multi-disciplinary vocation, which comprises diverse areas of engagement such as literature, culture, history, language and linguistics, religion, philosophy, arts and crafts, sculpture, drama as well as music which has been unduly marginalised and relegated in the academia.

The erudite scholar, therefore, advocated a collaborative research as a way of advancing the humanities and with the objective of finding justification for the indispensable roles which Arts and Humanities play in societal development.

Another don, Prof. Sheriff Folarin of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, urged  reengineering, if the Arts and Humanities beyond the concepts of mental rejuvenation and soul feeding. He insisted that the academia should not be insulated from the larger society because each depends on the other for meaningful development.

Folarin, who lamented lack of initiatives, innovation and dynamism on the part of most scholars and handlers of Arts and Humanities, also made a case for inter-disciplinary approach to research in the ivory tower.

He condemned inadequate innovation, obsolete equipment and wrong indoctrination that are prevalent in most African universities, where courses are run in Arts and Humanities.

Like Folarin, Prof Adeleke Fakoya of the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, also hinted that the humanities has a lot to offer the global economy. He argued that unlike the global interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), there is need to launch a new agenda for the Humanities in the 21st century.

His words: ‘’At this time in Nigeria’s education, both lecturers and students are at a crossroads in view of the Internet’s negative impact on teaching and learning. However, Elise Cornille provides some illumination in her article entitled: The Future of Technology in Humanities. She would rather we shunned the fear of technology and focused on how we can adapt technology to work in the Humanities, and also to consider how we can use technology to advance business and society.’’

Other at the ceremony were Prof. Olugbenga  Adebawo, who represented the monarch of Ilisan-Remo, Dr Solomon Iguanre, Dr Babatunde  Adebua, Prof Mobolanle Sotunsa, Dr Olusegun Ojuola, Dr Biodun Kalejaiye and Yinka Olorunkosebi, who thrilled the guests with songs and poetic renditions.

National Gallery of Art (NGA) Acting Director-General Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi has described the Benin art as a fascinating and intriguing collection of creative works that has many facets that will continue to generate interest and admiration from artists across the globe.

He said the history of Benin, including its rich culture, is more visible in art now, a tradition that dates back to centuries ago.

Ikpakronyi spoke during the presentation of Art of Benin Kingdom: Complementing Igue festival and Coronation of Oba by NGA held recently at Protea Hotel, Benin City, the Edo State capital.

The event featured exhibition of images of outdoor sculptures, which are at various junctions in Benin-City; indoor sculptures and works in other genres as well as a book on various aspects of Benin culture.

Some of these include the much-misunderstood Igue festival, fashion in Benin kingdom from its early years to date, coronation of the Oba. Four months ago, the first phase of the presentation was also held in Benin City.

The event was attended by Edo State Commissioner for Arts, Culture, Tourism & Diaspora Affairs Mr. Osaze Osemwegie-Ero, who represented Governor Godwin Obaseki, Chief David Edebiri, Esogban of Benin Kingdom, who chaired the occasion and NIHOTOUR Acting Director-General Dr. Momoh Kabir, among other eminent Nigerians.

According to Ikpakronyi, the event provided  NGA an opportunity to use art to tell the story of Igue festival, coronation and other Benin practices.  He added: ‘’The history of Benin is today more visible in art; a tradition which dates back to centuries.’’

“In April, this year, we were here to celebrate the creative ingenuity of Benin artists from time past to the present. Today, we are here again to explore in greater detail the immense art of Benin kingdom as represented in the works of select Benin artists. Most interesting are the outdoor sculptures, which have never been brought together for an exhibition. NGA is bringing images of these outdoor sculptures under one umbrella for all to view and appreciate. We will be viewing images of these outdoor sculptures which are in various junctions in Benin-city; indoor sculptures and works in other genres.

“The Art of Benin is fascinating as much as it is intriguing. It has many facets that will continue to generate interest and admiration. The task of National Gallery of Art as custodians of modern Nigerian visual art is to continue to bring these to the public glare for appreciation and further inquiry,” he said.

Ikpakronyi said the exhibition featured mainly sculptures, depicting the chiefs and major actors in the kingdom and animals in folktales.

“There are also sculptures depicting historical events and the actors therein like traditional court settings. The invasion of Benin and all that followed, the wars and missionary activities have also been captured in the artistry. Political leaders as shown in the bust of the late military Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed appeared in the works of Benin and can be seen on the streets of Benin City. These works are executed in diverse media like brass, bronze, wood and concrete,” he added.

He stressed that the exhibition captures a bit of Benin visual art, thus bringing to the fore salient matters that should stimulate more interest in the study of the people’s art. To him, the show captures images of a once very powerful, well organized kingdom that was the pride of the black race – the Benin Kingdom.

In the foreword to the book, the acting DG said that despite the 1897 British punitive expedition and its attendant looting and destruction of the kingdom, Benin still showcases a huge art tradition.

“Interestingly, viewing Benin art works is synonymous with reading the history of Benin. This is because their works were rooted in their tradition and customs, superintended by the Oba of Benin. For this reason, many artists were housed in the Oba’s palace and worked exclusively for the monarch. Today, however, the responsibility of promoting and preserving the art has gone beyond the prerogative of the palace,” he noted.

He urged the people of Benin and the artists, not to relent as they have a lot to offer the visual art world, adding that the economic situation is not dreary, ‘’but I assure you, where there is a will there is always a way’’.