With the aim of driving creativity and engagement among Nigerian youths, The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), in conjunction with the School of Arts, Design and Printing of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, recently organised the second edition of its Coca-Cola Bottle Competition.
The contest required individuals or groups to develop 3-dimensional artworks out of empty Coca-Cola 35cl or 50cl glass bottles.
At the recent exhibition and grand finale of the competition held at the college, NBC celebrated the First Prize winners, Kaffo Abdulwarith, Dadde Daniels, Phillip Obafemi and Festus Ajimo for their art genius in putting together the winning artwork: ‘A guitar boy made from empty Coca-Cola bottles’.
Two other creative works, the first, a standing mirror designed with empty bottles and the second, a giant Coca-Cola bottle, emerged the second and third place winners respectively.
Speaking at the grand finale, the Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director of the beverage company, Mrs. Sade Morgan, described NBC’s Coca-Cola Glass Bottle Competition as one of the many ways NBC is driving youth engagement within the academic environment and also creating an opportunity for them to discover and demonstrate their hidden creative abilities to produce masterpieces in art.
Also, in commemoration of its 65th anniversary, NBC commissioned six renowned Nigerian artists to produce a Limited Edition of ‘6+5’ Coca-Cola bottle signature artworks, which were auctioned at NBC’s 65th Anniversary Cocktail reception held recently, and the funds donated to support some selected charity homes.
The artists commissioned include Sam Ovraiti, famously known as Nigeria’s most expressive water colourist, Ada Godspower, a practising artist and painter, who hails from Benin City, Edo State, Soji Yoloye, a prolific and accomplished multi-talented Nigerian artist and painter, Osun State-born Babalola Lawson and Kesa Babatunde.
Speaking further on the motive behind the commissioning of the works, Morgan noted that NBC’s focus on the support and development of art in Nigeria is predicated on the understanding that the country’s rapidly evolving economy demands a dynamic and creative workforce.
“Arts and its related businesses of cultural exports for this country have long been a strong source of revenue and thus it is imperative that we, and not just NBC as a company, but other corporate entities, continue to support the arts and arts education in our nation.
“With the engagement of art as a vital tool by a corporate organisation of this size and stature, it is hoped that government at all levels and other corporate institutions, as well as individuals, will recognise the role art plays in our society. This is essentially because the value of art and culture cannot be overlooked going by its overreaching impact on the economy, health, well-being, society and education/history of any given country if well harnessed,” she said.