There is fun, great fun for that matter in being an artist. It is even much greater when you are a cartoonist, a cartoonist in one of the major national newspapers around Lagos. And you are equally conscious of the fact that you use your artistic impressions, cartoons, caricatures and illustrations to control and shake and stir the conscience of the society. It is much more impressive when a particular event or show now brings all of them together in one fell swoop.
This was the situation recently when the Cartoonists Association of Nigeria organized a birthday bash for one of their own in the person of Professor Dele Jegede. Jegede turned 80 in April, but due to the nature of their official duties, the association could only organize the celebration in June. The celebration, as expected, came with a week-long art exhibition which took place at Didi Museum in Lagos. It was a flurry of cartoons, caricatures and more.
But the most striking thing was that nearly all the cartoon editors of some major newspapers in Lagos were there. It was a grand moment. It was pleasant to see them in their best elements, showing love, beaming with smiles and going round the gallery to view the works on display. They showed heavy appreciation as they smiled at their own works and the troubles they cause with their cartoons every day. In fact, the glow on their faces proved it.
The cartoons were everywhere, distilling Nigeria’s problems. Their signatures and brands spoke to the viewers and art collectors. The cartoons tackled varieties of problems and those behind the problems. Most of them did not spare Nigerian leaders. They did not even spare Jegede. They made various caricatures of the man they all said was the pioneer of their calling. Jegede also taught some of them in school. Albert Ohams of The Sun Newspapers was there in his full epitome. His works were visibly seen in all nooks and corners of the hall. He beamed with satisfaction about the way the exhibition turned out. ‘This is good’, he kept saying.
Read Also: Lagos unveils Nigeria’s first LG-owned radio station
Dada Adekola, the Mr and Mrs grandmaster of The Vanguard Newspapers who is the president of the association was also in the house. His face wore shimmers of positive mischief. His idea hovered more on how to snigger on men and women in the hall to produce more satires on Mr and Mrs. He too paid glowing tribute to Jegede, this great artist, cartoonist, teacher, scholar, impressionist and sculptor. So also, was Mike Asukwo of Business Day Newspaper who came in bristling with joy. Many of his political satires were on display. Asukwo knows how to unleash attacks on leaders through his works.
Some of Asukwo’s works in the exhibition were hard on politicians and their misdeeds. He was all smiles as he strolled round viewing and entertaining banters with his colleagues and friends. Chino Obasi formally of The Guardian Newspaper was also present. He was the Master of Ceremony. He is now in a bigger advert agency where he still uses brushes and colours to deal with issues. With him was Victor Asowata, a deep artist that paints with precision. What of Leke Moses, and others like Adebayo Adegbenro, Chuks Onwudinjo, Jimoh Samsideen, Morak Oguntade and others? They were all there and their works littered the exhibition.
But the most amazing aspect of the opening ceremony was the presence of three foremost and great master artists in Nigeria – Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya, Dr. Kunle Filani and Dr Kolade Oshinowo. They added beauty and class to the outing. After all they are all friends and colleagues of the celebrator.
