The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NCAC

  • NCAC plans five fiestas

    NCAC plans five fiestas

    The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) is planning five new festivals to create jobs and attract investments.

    Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum in Abuja, NCAC’s Director-General, Mrs Dayo Keshi, listed the festivals as National Song Festival, National Masquerade Festival, National Boat Regatta, National Traditional Textile Exhibition and National Durbar Festival.

    She said apart from the festivals, the NCAC would also rejig its zonal offices and organise consultations and interactive sessions with arts and crafts and culture stakeholders.

    She added that the forum, which would be organised periodically, would give artists, investors and other stakeholders the opportunities to exchange ideas on how to reposition the sector for the better.

    Noting that no nation can boast of a sustainable development by relying mainly on technology transfer withou engaging indigenous skills, Mrs Keshi said such understanding gave impetus to the forum, adding that  it would dwell on ways of diversifying the economy away from oil.

    “With a population of over 170 million, Nigeria is one of the largest markets in the world. All that is required from the government and stakeholders in the creative industry is conscious and concerted efforts towards developing the capacity to undertake supply of large volume and high standard products to dominate local market, which she said, will be the outcome of the newly introduced festival,” she said.

    According to her, such development would further ‘drive home the economic importance of our cultural industries and the urgent need to encourage structured investments in the sector, lay solid foundation for the projection of cultural and creative industries as economic goldmine as well as challenge industry practitioners to strive towards acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge that would enhance the production of goods that are capable of competing favourably in the global market’’.

    The forum, Mrs Keshi said, would also help to develop the appropriate structures and the required capacity and skills needed by the sector to ensure its sustainability, provide a direction to the sector in such a way that it would empower and expand the nation’s cultural industry to reposition it as a major player in economic development.

    To achieve these goals, Mrs Keshi said the Council would encourage the display and sales of arts and crafts products at all major state events and conferences in Nigeria, encourage the imprinting of cultural motif in postcards and government invitation cards to events. She added that this would create awareness and appreciation for arts and culture; boost the school uniform project aimed at encouraging the use of local fabric.

    The Council also pledged to encourage more youths into other creative industries, especially in the crafts to a level that equals  youth participation that the nation have in the film, music and fashion industries.

    She said the Council was determined to engage stakeholders, such as corporate bodies, government agencies and parastatals, embassies and non-governmental organisations, to explore opportunities for collaborations, to identify where the challenges are and provide sustainable solutions to ensure value chain optimisation.

    “Through this forum, our stakeholders will be able to acquire knowledge about our cultural products, develop the right content and identify deliverables that can be marketed to the global world,” she said.

  • NEPC, NCAC seek craft devt centres

    NEPC, NCAC seek craft devt centres

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) have advocated for the establishment of Craft Development and Skills Acquisition Centres across the country. This, according to them, will attract significant patronage of Nigeria’s Arts and Crafts in the international market.

    Speaking in Abuja while receiving the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, NEPC  Executive Director/Chief executive Officer (CEO), Mr Olusegun Awolowo pointed out that if Nigeria was to create global brands like the Chinese did with their cuisine and Americans with the film industry, efforts should be geared towards establishing designated Nigerian Heritage Cities to promote Nigerian products and cuisine in countries where Nigeria boost of huge population.

    “Given the huge population of Nigerians in some major cities like Johannesburg in South Africa, London, Atlanta Georgia and Houston Texas in the United States, the Council intends to promote the creation of Nigerian Towns in these cities to facilitate the export of local products and foods by Nigerian entrepreneurs,” he said.

    Responding, Mrs. Keshi said to showcase the value of Nigeria’s creative and cultural industry, NCAC was willing to partner with the NEPC to promote the nation’s potentials beyond its shores.

    She said: “We as stakeholders should look at the possibility of exporting our local content particularly in the creative industry. We should develop and promote events like the Osun Osogbo, Durbar in Kano or Boat Regatta festival in any chosen location to attract tourists.”

    She, however, said for these festivals to attract significant participation by foreigners it should be streamlined by way of creating fixed event dates in a year and the establishment of Special Arts Malls in Lagos, Kano and Abuja to enable proper planning and participation by tourists.

    Mrs. Keshi said the aim of her visit to NEPC was to invite Mr. Awolowo as Guest Speaker at NCAC’s 40th Anniversary as an agency of government for promoting arts and culture.

  • NEPC, NCAC seek craft devt centres

    The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC) have advocated for the establishment of Craft Development and Skills Acquisition Centres across the country. This, according to them, will attract significant patronage of Nigeria’s Arts and Crafts in the international market.

    Speaking in Abuja while receiving the Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture, Mrs. Dayo Keshi, NEPC  Executive Director/Chief executive Officer (CEO), Mr Olusegun Awolowo pointed out that if Nigeria was to create global brands like the Chinese did with their cuisine and Americans with the film industry, efforts should be geared towards establishing designated Nigerian Heritage Cities to promote Nigerian products and cuisine in countries where Nigeria boost of huge population.

    “Given the huge population of Nigerians in some major cities like Johannesburg in South Africa, London, Atlanta Georgia and Houston Texas in the United States, the Council intends to promote the creation of Nigerian Towns in these cities to facilitate the export of local products and foods by Nigerian entrepreneurs,” he said.

    Responding, Mrs. Keshi said to showcase the value of Nigeria’s creative and cultural industry, NCAC was willing to partner with the NEPC to promote the nation’s potentials beyond its shores.

    She said: “We as stakeholders should look at the possibility of exporting our local content particularly in the creative industry. We should develop and promote events like the Osun Osogbo, Durbar in Kano or Boat Regatta festival in any chosen location to attract tourists.”

    She, however, said for these festivals to attract significant participation by foreigners it should be streamlined by way of creating fixed event dates in a year and the establishment of Special Arts Malls in Lagos, Kano and Abuja to enable proper planning and participation by tourists.

    Mrs. Keshi said the aim of her visit to NEPC was to invite Mr. Awolowo as Guest Speaker at NCAC’s 40th Anniversary as an agency of government for promoting arts and culture.

  • ‘I will raise the bar for the council’

    This year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) ended in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, last Sunday. It recorded many firsts. Aside having the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, as special guest of honour (first time the Presidency will be so represented),the festival was led by a woman Director-General, Mrs. Dayo Keshi. Also, the host state, Ebonyi, won the giant gong as the overall best state, despite being a first time host. Nineteen of the 36 states attended the festival, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME, who was at Abakaliki.

    Like at the opening, cheers from the crowd at the closing of this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) at the Abakaliki Stadium, captured the mood and great expectation of the art community.

    With an early morning rain providing a soothing weather, states delegation filed out in colourful attires as the curtain was drawn on this year’s festival. For states that won laurels, especially the host, Ebonyi, it was dancing and jubilation galore.

    It was the first time in the history of the 44-year-old festival, that the Presidency would be represented by Vice President Namadi Sambo, who declared the festival open last Tuesday. Expectedly, the host state justified its 18 years’ wait with adequate preparations for this year’s festival described by many as successful, despite seeming low attendance by states. Absenteeism and lateness of states to the festival may have threatened the objectives of the festival.

    Observers blamed this on the delay in release of funds to the state art councils as well as the increasing political campaigns. “It has become a recurring decimal that any NAFEST held a year preceding the general elections always suffers setbacks as most governors are more concerned about how to retain or capture power at the polls. Unfortunately, such shift by the governors is always at the expense of the spirit of the festival,” according to an observer. For instance, from the Southwest zone, only Oyo State was in attendance, while Edo, Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa were the states from Southsouth zone that attended the festival. Delta State came in the morning of the closing day.

    Worried by this trend, the newly appointed Director-General of National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) organisers of the yearly festival, Mrs Dayo Keshi, said the council would as a matter of priority look into the many challenges of the states including lateness to festival, late release of funds, inadequate preparations among others.

    “Over two third of the states attended this year’s festival. But, we will be looking at these challenges of the states. We will connect with the governors on the need for full participation of the states. The few states that come early often emerge as winners. NAFEST belongs to us; it gives us the platform to showcase the rich culture of the people and should be nurtured by all. In fact, I will adopt advocacy as part of methods to spread the message,” she said.

    Notwithstanding, Keshi described this year’s festival as very successful because the host governor, Chief Martins Elechi showed special enthusiasm and support for the festival, including provision of facilities and security for all.

    She observed that the country’s cultural industry is yet to take its rightful position though music, movie and fashion have made significant impacts on the nation’s economy. She stressed that the success of these genres has proven that if the sector is well structured and funded it would contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economy.

    “Every local government area has something special and peculiar that can be made economically viable. I am hoping that we would be able to put in place some structures to that effect. Again, we hope to create a market for art and crafts that will attract tourists. But for it to thrive, it needs government support and the creative industry will consequently stem the influx of unemployed youths to the cities,” she added.

    On whether she will stick to the existing  programmes of the council, she said: “There are always rooms for improvement. Art and Craft Expo and NAFEST are two major programmes of the council. But, I will raise the bar of the programmes. I am quite happy with the concept of NAFEST and AFAC, and I will look at the aspects that will make it economically viable.”

    Although the new chief executive appreciates continuity, but she is not lacking in new ideas that would raise the bar. She  is considering how to package the different components of the festival as marketing platform to the public all through the year. According to her, having such cultural events that will attract corporate sponsors will be an added opportunity for the growth of art and crafts.

    “It will be a private-public partnership (PPP) at different levels while we still seek sponsorship. The idea of running the different components is to enhance packaging. Once packaging is done right, sponsors will come after us,” she added.

    The former director, Culture Industry and Heritage at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation said she was excited at her new appointment and that it was good someone from the sector was appointed to continue the job. She noted that having worked on the policy formulation side for over three decades, it is exciting to be on the other side to  contribute to the growth of the sector.

    Asked what she would be remembered for, she said: “I hope that at the end of my tenure, culture sector would have empowered the artists, raised the bar and every part of Nigeria would see culture as most efficient way to show Nigeria to  the world. Then culture would be one of the sectors that will not be looked down upon.”

    Director, Human Resource Management, NCAC, Mallam Ado Mohammed Yahuza said the festival events were packaged in tandem with the theme of the festival-Celebrating Nigeria @ 100: The role of culture as a vehicle for national unity. He noted that the emphasis on youths at the festival events underscores that the future belongs to the youths using culture to foster unity of the country. ”.

    According to him, Ebonyi State like Bayelsa lived up to expectation despite being a first time host of the festival. “This is not the first time a new state will host the festival. We have been in Bayelsa twice and the festival went well. We always do our survey before the hosting of the festival. In the same vein, Ebonyi State has been generous in providing security and logistics including venues,” Yahuza said.

    Earlier at the opening, President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by Vice president Namadi Sambo pledged greater commitment to the development of the nation’s creative industry.

    He expressed delight that in spite of numerous challenges confronting the nation, NAFEST was held in a convivial atmosphere. According to him, it has become obvious that the annual festival is not only strategic to the protection of the people’s culture and tradition, buthas great potentials for engaging the teaming unemployed youths.

    He said there is a nexus between arts and culture and the economic growth of any nation.

    “The event is high profile in nature and the celebration will manifest abundant grace for the nation outside the country”, he said.

    He stated that the one-week cultural fiesta would provide another platform to re-echo the Centenery message with which the nation celebrated its 100 years of nationhood.

    ”NAFEST is affirming that there is a lot from our culture that binds us. As we move into another century, it is our collective duty to leverage on these for promoting our oneness and uniqueness as Nigerians and as a way of moving the dreams of our founding fathers nearer to realisation”, Mr. President stated.

    Commending Governor Martin Elechi for taking the challenge of hosting this year’s festival, Mr. President highlighted the place of the private sector in promoting the festival. He, therefore, assured the provision of enabling environment for any organisation or group that picks interest in investing in the nation’s culture and tourism sector.

    This year’s festival featured colloquium,

    dance-drama, children painting and drawing, traditional cuisine, traditional architecture, story- telling and traditional wrestling among others.

     

  • The new faces in the culture house

    There have been changes in the Culture and Tourism Ministry where three new directors have been appointed to man affairs of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOUR).  All the appointments have been criticized for one reason or the other.  Edozie Udeze examines these changes and what they mean for the sector

    Every eight years when new changes are usually made in the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation to relieve out-going directors of their positions, series of controversies and backbiting normally follow such move.  It is as if such changes do not make for the progress of the culture sector.  But be that as it may, culture workers must have one thing or the other to say to either condemn or praise or even carpet the minister’s choice of directors to fill the vacant positions.

    This year’s exercise was not different.  Last week, three new directors were appointed by the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Chief Edem Duke, to replace the outing-going ones in three parastatals.  They include the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies (NIHOTOURS) and Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). Of the all three appointments, the strangest and most surprising, in the reckoning of close culture observers and stakeholders, is that of NIHOTOUR, where Ms Chika Balogun has been made to hold fort.  Balogun, until her appointment, was a Special Assistant to Duke, a position many feel and still believe is not big enough to warrant such a big appointment.  Part of the argument, however, is that Balogun has no such pedigree to handle the hospitality sector with the kind of strong presence it deserves at this critical era in Nigeria.

    Most critics stretched the argument further to say that the last assignment.  Balogun handled for the minister in far away United States of America was a big flop.  The assignment had to do with the cultural extravaganza which held at the Kennedy Centre in Washington DC, USA, last month.  In coordinating that woeful outing Balogun could not display enough dexterity and knowledge expected of a texted technocrat.  “Now, that she is to handle a more virile and potent parastatal that is also the main regulatory agency for Nigerian hotels, what are we to expect?” asked one culture worker who does not want to be named.

    Although a master’s degree holder from the University of Kent, Great Britain and a member of many local and international professional bodies, it is yet to be seen where her professional acumen has been so tested and verified.

    However, those who know her closely attest that she is a team leader, very proficient in management and mentoring.  “In fact, we can say she is a leadership expert,” Okeke Uzor, an artist who knows her professional antecedents, said.  Part of the resume of  Balogun says that she is a philanthropist, a great traveller, consummate reader and mentor.  “If she can bring all these to bear in her style of management, her professional approach in running the affairs of NIHOTOUR and more, I suppose she will end up a huge success,” Uzor surmised.

    As for Mrs. Dayo Keshi who took over the helm at NCAC, criticisms have begun to mount on why she should be made to head that number one parastatal in the ministry.  Keshi, 61, retired from the Federal Civil Service last year after reaching the mandatory age of 60 years.  Until her retirement, she was a director in the Cultural Industry and Heritage, an arm of the Ministry of Culture.  She served in the sector for 31 years.  But the grouse of many people is that Duke should have looked beyond personal sentiments and favour to appoint people with the renewed zeal and capacity to serve and deliver; people who still possess the youthful energy to put things in their proper perspectives.

    To have recalled a retired top notch of the ministry to handle such an important segment of the sector, some critics argued, does not speak well of the seriousness and commitment of the ministry.  It is usually better to make people who are more vibrant to come in to help move the ministry beyond the mundane.  Agreeing, Kechi may be a well-tested technocrat with the necessary exposure that is relevant in some ways, one of the critics asked.  “what of the carriage in terms of energy and competence at this stage in her career?  All these should have informed Duke’s decision in reaching out to these people.”

    However, a close source revealed that the strong undercurrent in the whole exercise is that Duke needed to have his own people in those positions.  Of course, those who are in one way or the other amenable to him, those who are indeed his closest allies and would be better for him to operate with.  But how does this stop him from looking far afield to get better placed loyalists who stand better chances of improving the lot of the Culture and Tourism sector?  For too long the ministry has tottered between life and death, between progress and retrogression, with a only a few of its parastatals and agencies doing well to lift the sector above water.  Even when the yearly allocation which is nothing to write home about, that comes its way often does not go into the proper channel.  In a way, this is a ministry that is supposed to chart a new way for the reorientation of the people of Nigeria.  So much needs to be done yet the politics of making those positive issues happen often pre-occupies the attention of top players and policy-makers.

    Now, appointed to succeed Professor Tunde Babawale at CBAAC is Chief Ferdinand Anikwe.  There is no doubt that Babawale left an imprint that is indelible on the sand of times.  Having been the helmsman at the Enugu State Ministry of Culture and Chieftaincy Matters for so long, it is hoped that Anikwe can perform to keep CBAAC on its toes.  But CBAAC, as it is widely known, is basically a research and academic centre where programmes are devised and executed to conform with its statutory ideals.  Now how capable is Anikwe having been coming basically from the background that is bereft of researches and world outreach?

    How much can he do to retain and lubricate and maintain the numerous contacts made to get CBAAC go beyond a mere gimmick?  Is he capable of making the world and indeed Africa see CBAAC as a centre meant to project African cultures beyond Nigeria?  There are too many questions.  But the truth of the matter is that until recently CBAAC was a mere glorified outfit.  But then Babawale and his team brought their own personal and collective drive, energy and zeal to make it attain international position.  This is what Anikwe has to continue to do if the politics of trying to keep CBAAC down by the powers that be can allow him and his team perform.

    CBAAC is an intellectually-engaging centre, well-removed from the masquerade background where Anikwe was better known.  Anikwe constituted the best masquerade assemblage in Enugu that has won more laurels at the Abuja Carnival than any other states.  This is no mean achievement as far as the issue of culture in Nigeria is concerned.  However, that is a different ball game entirely.  CBAAC needs deep and concerted brainstorming to make it remain relevant, topical and useful.  A team meant to keep CBAAC alive has to be alive itself, giving life to cultural matters that touch on the nerves of the people.

    As a pan-African agency, Anikwe should live the life of a Pan-African director, a director not limited to local issues.  CBAAC is for the whole world where the Black Africans are domiciled.  The way and manner the new regime keeps them in the picture is a tall order for Anikwe.  CBAAC should not be made to slide back to what it was before Babawale took over.  If that happens, then it will become the worst thing that has ever happened to African cultural renaissance for which CBAAC has been cut out to do.

    Over all, it is hoped that the new changes will usher in meaningful era to give a new phase and face to the culture sector.  Tourism needs to be renewed.  Directors need to live up to the expectations of the people in whatever they do.  This is the time to do so, leaving all petty politicking behind for the sake of the people and the stakeholders.

  • ‘Tears of 2006 have been washed away’

    ‘Tears of 2006 have been washed away’

    The 2006 edition of NAFEST was special in the sense that for the first time when NAFEST was ending, the next host was known. And this was because I had strategised, made budget provision which had been approved by the House of Assembly for our hosting in 2006. NCAC at that time had no stress, they didn’t need to woo any state government to host the festival.

    The budget was there and the Glory Land Cultural Centre was there too. No art council can boast of the facilities we have at Glory Land Cultural Centre. The only challenge we had then which we don’t have is the Artistes’Camp, which was over crowded because people were really enthusiastic about visiting Bayelsa. So, it was quite an awesome moment for us as we had prepared a float, which was an attraction we had also prepared to do a host component regatta with every local council in the state.

    Bringing three regatta boats, we had 24 boats and the arts council had two, totalling 26 boats regatta. Unfortunately, the festival was cancelled few minutes after it was opened. As at the opening, about 24 states had arrived with about four states on their way. Ogun state contingent was inWarri during the opening ceremony. So, it was quite painful because it was an exercise in futility, all efforts and preparation coming to nothing. The hosting of NAFEST 2013 by Bayelsa is a fall-out from the aborted 2006 edition.

    Members of the Culture Executive Council were concerned that they didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy Bayelsa, because that time the news of kidnapping, hostage taking common place. But they were shocked to find the opposite when they got to Bayelsa.

    So, people felt they needed to go back to Bayelsa to enjoy it. I am a fulfilled man because the tears of 2006 have been washed away. It was painful, a sad moment. I remember the debate we had in the Government House when the news of the plane crash reached us. Governor Goodluck Jonathan called Abuja, discussed with the authorities. And the compromise was that the festival should be opened so that people would not go back like that. It was done to honor the dead. It was quite understandable because the country had lost a crop of top military officers. But it was painful and since there was nothing we could do about it, we just have to live with it.

    You know money has been spent before the crash and for us to start to think of hosting the festival following year would be stressful in term of funding. It would not be fair on the state to go through all that. So it was good to allow time to heal the wounded of 2006. For us in the council, wiping away the tears of 2006 came in the sponsorship of the state troupe to Paris, France where we have performed at United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) headquarters in September 2006, the same.

    The Gloryland Cultural Centre is wearing a new look and its artistes and government that will enjoy it. I am happy that a proposal I made for the centre though didn’t concentrate at that time is seen causing to past. It has made the centre more than enough for the hosting of events like this. It will be an impetus for the government to host bigger events at the centre.

    With the disposition of the governor to culture, I believe the initial plan for the state to host Bayelsa Festival will now materialise.

    People can see how cultural events can stimulate great economic activities. For example, NAFEST cultural markets keep expanding by the day, from the centre’s premises to the judiciary complex. In fact, people are leaving the main markets to sell at the cultural centre.

    At the end of the day, the local economy will be better for it. With adequate planning and publicity future festivals will attract tremendous reception. I thank Governor Seriake Dickson for hosting the festival and we need a Bayelsa Festival and more of it in future.”

    Hosting NAFEST this year, Executive Director, Bayelsa Arts Council, Mr Ineye Johnny Dudafa, said it was a fulfillment.

    “From the day the idea was brought before the Governor, he bought the idea of hosting this year’s festival. And that simplified everything. I have attended several NAFEST since 1989, which gave me rich knowledge of experience this year given the reception and attendance. Everything I believe happens according to the will of God. My predecessor, Barclays Ayakoroma did all he could to ensure the state hosted NAFEST in 2006. But for the plane crash, it was put off. Since then we have always looked for opportunity to host the festival. It has always been my dream because the climax of council programme is NAFEST. The turn-out is okay, and I will now describe such attendance as low, it is successful. So far, we had 21 out of 36 states. I am sure every state would have loved to be here but there could be peculiar problem of release of funds. If the roll call of states had been 30, then it would have been better. However, we still worked with what we had.

    “The content of the festivals wide, we have competitive and non-competitive events, because of the number of states showing interest in competitive that has events affected the competitiveness of the events. And by extension, it affected the contents of the festival. However, there are rooms for improvement; adopt female wrestling to create room for gender equality. I am happy that the state is hosting NAFEST during my time in the council. Grateful to God and government because this has made another statement as far as Bayelsa’s image is concerned. Efforts should be made to encourage Governors to allow their states to participate in future editions. There is much to gain,” he said.

     

  • Crafts to the rescue

    Crafts to the rescue

    An ongoing arts, crafts and decor fair in Lagos showcases works of diverse visual arts, designs and textiles to promote and propagate Nigerian artistic creativity to the larger audience. Edozie Udeze reports

    As part of the Easter celebrations, the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in collaboration with the National Gallery of Art (NGA) mounted an art exhibition in Lagos entitled Arts, Crafts and Décor Fair. The venue of the ongoing exhibition is Aina Onabolu Art Gallery, Iganmu, Lagos, where crafts, paintings and sculptures of all genres are mounted for public viewing, patronage and appreciation.

    In declaring the exhibition open, Ekene Okoroma, the head of the Lagos office of the National Gallery of Art (NGA) described the outing as the first of its kind in Nigeria. “It is heartwarming to see these two parastatals initiate and consummate a collaboration to mount an exhibition to showcase works of art, crafts and décor, depicting contemporary socio-economic realities of the Nigerian society.”

    The works on display showed complete array of visual artworks from artists with diverse backgrounds. These included graphics, paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, pottery and lots more. They all depict and portray the different but rich repertoire of cultural settings in Nigeria. The crafts also came in different modes and mediums, representing various ingenious creative persuasions of the multi-cultural nature of Nigeria.

    Okoroma, who spoke on behalf of Abdulahi Muku, the Director – General of NGA, directed people’s attention to the essence of crafts in Nigeria. “Often, people ask for space to showcase what they have,” she stated. “And that is why this exposition is necessary in order to give a lot of artistes the opportunity to showcase what they have. The works of art here depict who we truly are as artists and as professionals,” she further said.

    Joy, one of the artists whose crafts dwelt remarkably on interior decoration, praised the two parastatals for making the exhibition possible. “I am elated to be here,” she said. “What we have on display is rich on Nigerian cultural heritage. You don’t need to go abroad to shop for materials for your interior décor. We have plenty of beautiful crafts here to make your day,” she noted.

    In welcoming guests to the occasion, Chinwe Abara, who stood in for the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), M. M. Maidugu, drew the attention of the people to the urgent need to continue to discover, tap and develop young talents in the areas of crafts and weave-making.

    “We need to always impart on the creative use of indigenous materials. We have to ensure that we inculcate craft skills and appreciation to the younger and future generations. We also organise zonal crafts workshops, exhibitions and trophies for the purpose of creating awareness in the minds of the public,” she further stated.

    Some of the artists whose works were on display were Uche Nwosu, John Egwuatu, James Itodo, Israel Benamaisa and Ugherebe Godwin, all of whom are staff of the NGA.

    The idea is to encourage these artists to be conscious of their primary calling. Apart from being civil servants, they need to also be aware of their professional calling which is the art.

    Egwuatu, whose sculptural masterpieces stunned many, opined that it gave him plenty of joy to be part of the big show. “Even though I work from time to time, this fair is a big one for me,” he said. “It is a big one, in that it depicts the sort of art that I love so much. As a sculptor, these works showcase my true talents and professional calling as an artist.”

    The one week show drew guests from all genres of the art who came out to give kudos to various arts of creativity on display. As people went from stand to stand to view and appreciate these works of art, traditional music played in the background to give the necessary groove to the people. “It is so cool here. In fact, art is really felt in people’s nerves,” Charles, a student from the University of Lagos who attended the programme, enthused. “Nigerians need to inculcate this habit of relaxing with the art,” he said.