Dr Nelson Edewor, in this report, examines the activities of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) executives, one year after election.
The illegalities that trailed the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) national elections of August 2012, through the summersaulting of the society’s constitution, and brazenly adopting same during the National Executive Council (NEC) that preceded the election, lefts a large bone of contention. That act of bravado on the part of the proponents to set aside the constitution, and how they orchestrated their plan, and achieved it, really calls for an award from those whose bloated interests they served. However, I wish to express my view that unless the seemingly lacuna state of things being experienced by the Society today improves, the next AGM may hold those gladiators culpable.
A reminiscence of the NEC meeting which held on August 23, 2012 at Uyo preceding the AGM billed for the next day brings to mind sad memories of a well prosecuted power play, brazen mutual betrayal and arms twisting. This style of politics is not alien to Nigerian electoral system. But having it replayed at a supposedly brotherly forum of professionals is disheartening. The decay in our system is not about the one out there but that engrained in our minor systems; too bad. The antagonists against the Society’s constitution were well-armed with the doctrine of precedence that the constitution has been put in abeyance in the past. They failed or refused to see reasons with the protagonists that such occurrence were done in error. So far as they had an agenda, there should be no end to committing the crime of constitutional rape. The real contention was the constitutional position about rising to the exalted position of President. The constitution stipulates that only persons who are serving as Vice President (of which they are three representing three out of the four zonal system since the serving President comes from the fourth) are eligible to contest for that position in case the incumbent is not going for a second tenure. Simple reasoning cannot fault this type of proviso. It is aimed at creating a seamless transition that produces the best amongst equals due to their experience in the leadership of the Society. In most well-groomed Societies and Associations, persons step into that exalted position based on their track record while serving as Vice to the outgoing President. By dismantling this provision, even when it did not go through the right channel stipulated for constitutional review, NEC averred to allow any person fueled by his personal assessment of popularity and possibly financial standing to aspire and become eligible for the Society’s national Presidency. What a shame. I wish none-artists will not read this article. This treatise falls short of modern living style but that which replicates a jungle social system in the dark ages where brute force was celebrated. Maybe that is where Nigerian politics is still located.
How did we get to this low ebb of affairs? In the then outgoing executive led by Mr. Uwa Usen (2008-2012), two Vice Presidents were viable in the schemes of their office. These are Prof Tonie Okpe (North Central) and Dr. Kunle Adeyemi (South West). In the build-up towards the elections, it was clear that Prof Tonie Okpe had other interest outside SNA leadership in his intent. A call to him then, verified this inclination. That left out only Dr. Kunle Adeyemi as a prospective candidate for the position since Uwa had earlier declared his position not to run for a second term. Dr Adeyemi has the track record of being a former Chairman SNA Lagos in the early 2000. He is the one that handed over to Mr. Olu Ajayi who in turn handed to Mr. Oliver Enwonwu. It is the goodwill enjoyed by Adeyemi through his leadership style that the Southwest region voted him to the position of Vice President representing their Zone at the Abeokuta AGM of 2008. One expected that Lagos and indeed the Southwest would have been buoyed in joy that their representative was going to clench the ‘Big Apple’ without any contest with anybody. But who can imagine that, it is the same Lagos, led by its serving Chairman that alluded the pulling of the carpet off the feet of his Oga. There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, but everything is wrong when it is not approached according to the rules. With this idea muted, as expected, other zones felt they too can have a chance to the position, so the gladiators like Dr. Ken Okoli of ABU, Zaria and Mr. Ajene Isegbe from Benue State mobilised their supporters to the Uyo hosted NEC/ AGM. It is an open secret that many delegates were transported and their eligibility fees to participate in the election paid by the contestants. Another PDP style you know. With a scenario such as this, where the tune of the piper is dictated by the pay master, the gladiators had their way as an overwhelming support to set aside the constitution rented the air. The two or three voices that sought for reason were more or less left out in the cold. On the grounds that majority takes the day, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi on the grounds of principle informed NEC that he will not participate under a non-constitutional backed arrangement. By this act, he was reveling the Isoko adage that “one does not use his teeth to share what he forbids”. He simply and honourably opted out of the election process. When Prof Egonwa (former President), who had come to participate in the AGM heard NEC’s decision, quickly packed his baggage, and left Uyo in the wee hours of the next morning dissatisfied at the NEC decision to desecrate the constitution once more.
As mentioned earlier, this is not the first time that the SNA constitution has suffered rape in the hands of those who stood on oath to protect it. First, it was Mr. Kolade Oshinowo. He was elected in 2005 at the SNA Lagos hosted AGM at Rita Lori Hotel in Surulere. That election ended the protracted executive led by Professor Osa D Egonwa. It was definitely clear that Mr. Oshinowo put the constitution in abeyance throughout his tenure. It was only at the Abeokuta AGM in 2008, that for lack of what legal framework to base the electoral exercise that the constitution like an archeological find was unearthed. At the swearing in of Mr. Uwa Usen who won the presidential sit that year, he told the congress that he was going to protect the constitution. He also promised to look at areas of contention in the constitution and get them reviewed. That again was another magnificent castle built in the air. No action thereafter. The scenario at infamous Uyo AGM was the litmus test of Uwa’s oath to defend the constitution but he decided to turn the other way and the political vultures had their way.
and protection of professional rights. It is unfortunate that for reasons best known to that executive, it did not achieve its goal of an Artists Registration Council bill. By the time that executive handed over, the executive was in disarray for which reason only the out-going President and Mr. Shola Kukoyi, were the only executive members present at the AGM that ended that regime.
Secondly, apart from a general member apathy that bedeviled Egonwa’s executive coupled with lack of funds, there is the wrong perception that the Society’s constitution is their own manipulation. Members seem to forget that Prof Egonwa served as Chairman Constitution Review Committee during Mrs. Funke Ifeta’s regime. And that the reviewed constitution was ratified in that AGM that ushered in Prof. Egonwa and his team into office. That misconception might be his greatest undoing coupled with the internal wrangling within his executive. All that is history now, but we may need to learn some lessons from all this.
Thirdly there also a seemingly cold war that appears to exists between the ranks of academic professional members and full time studio professionals. It is possibly coincidental that all previous but the present serving President comes from the academia. One may not be too sure though, but one sometimes feel the formation of art professional groups such as Guild of Fine Artists (GFA) could be a response to this perceived reality. In fact one of the moving arguments that fueled Oliver’s elevation was the attempt at making history that a studio based artist could also rise to that exalted position. Mr. Sam Ovraiti took a shot at the exalted position in 2008 at Abeokuta AGM. However, wise sayings have continued to remind us that the issue of seeking office is inconsequential. It is what one does with the office that makes the effort either worth-while or a fools dream come true. Oliver’s clenching of the position I believe must have sent joyous signals that a studio person who possibly knows and understands the yearnings of practitioners has become President of SNA..
All said and done, “Tick, Tick, says the clock, what you have to do, do quick”, is a children rhyme. That innocent recital now stares us on the face. One year has gone by. What is the result of all the emotional tensions and vocal exertions that the Uyo election generated? What can be said as assessment of a full year’s activity of the Oliver led executive? Maybe it is too early to be expectant. But commonsense tells the blacksmith that he must hit the iron when it is red hot. I do not know if it is only here in Delta that the seemingly steady decline of momentum of the National executive is being felt. If it is the case, I sincerely ask to be excused of whining at the expense of others. If it is not, then this article is a clarion call to our National Executive to step up into the mandate given them.
Being that as it may, one cannot shy away from applauding some initial activities of this present executive within the first few months of taking over. But to what import did these energy sapping assignments amount? I am aware that posters towards celebrating SNA at 50 were sent out. I am also aware that that event has gone down in history as one of the least organized programmes of the Society at the national level in recent times. In fact the choice of the lead paper presenter gave the event its anti-climax. I am also aware of beautifully printed posters to advertise publication avenues through Art Reviews, Art bulletin, and the Creative Dialogue Journal. The beautiful graphics that heralds these posters are alluring enough. But what machinery is in place to actualize these laudable ideas? What the Executive must know is that, it is not just about getting articles and running to press and making volumes of publications, it is the quality of the editorial board and a truly peer review system that drives publication dreams. Many serious minded academics may not approach any of these proposed publication outlets unless they have confidence in the editorial team. I am also aware that in the cause of its familiarization courtesy call to government agencies, the executive visited the apex supervisory body of Nigerian universities (NUC) but to what purpose? While other professional bodies visit such corridors of policy formulation and implementation to seek out ways to step up standards of their profession so as to make them conform to international standards, ours went for the opposite. It is no longer news, and it has been argued exhaustively that Ph.D degree is a prerequisite to functioning effectively in the university system. To stem a situation of inconsequence of the artist in the university system as well as revive the studio component of art for which Ph.D never existed, less Art History, some of our universities with progressive and insightful art professors have developed and passed through their university Senates the approval of Ph.D in studio practice. Instead of our executive visiting NUC to appreciate this laudable development, or possibly bringing a proposed curriculum where courses like media art, performance art and curatorial studies are included in the university curriculum, they went to pressure NUC to exclude artists from the general Ph.D rule of NUC. It really beats my imagination that such narrow mindedness could still exist in our ranks. I wonder what cooperate pride remained in them after the NUC officer that attended to them had finished pointing out their folly.
Bringing you back again to the 2012 AGM, the house gave the mandate that of urgency, a review of the constitution must commence. One year has gone and there is no news about anything of such. Members also frowned at the Uwa Usen led Executive of its inability to hold Executive and NEC meetings on regular basis. It would seem as if that style of one man government is already being repeated by this executive. What about the Artists Registration Council legislation mandate by the house? On a recent call to the General Secretary, he lamented the constraints of this executive due to financial incompetence. In my closet I wondered, what has happened to the annual NGA grant to SNA? I know how much that survived Oshinowo’s government. That was when Mr. Joe Musa was NGA Director. Now it is Mr. Muku and the Joe Musa legacy cannot be sustained? But think of it, must SNA always continue to operate cap in hand begging? Can we as SNA members not sustain ourselves through our annual subscription and donations as the case may be? At a recent Exhibition and AGM of SNA Delta in Asaba, which opened on the 18th of December 2013, the special Guest of Honour to the occasion, Hon. Barr. Richard Mofe Damijo (Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism) reacting to the state chapter’s Chairman appeal for funds said “Nelson, SNA should be a rich Society going by the caliber of persons that makes up its rank and file”. Of course I agreed with him completely when I considered that the artists is a treasure manufacturer. Mr. Kolade Oshinowo seemed to have gotten it right when a donated work by Yusuff Grillo earned the Society some millions of Naira during his tenure.
As I round up this article I want to attest that the person and abilities of Oliver Enwonwu, incumbent President of SNA, and his commitment to the practice has never been in doubt before now. For me, I admired his zest and passion towards the promotion of his personal and corporate organizations. It was this same energy he employed during his days as Chairman SNA Lagos. At his manifesto presentation for this new office in Uyo, I can argue that I had the apparition of his father, the great Dr. Ben Enwonwu (1921-1994). I even consoled myself that, the constitutional assault could be a blessing in disguise. But all that goose pimples and mirage has cleared now. Now is reality time. Is this the Oliver we heralded or should we await another? Unfortunately, as if deflating all prior track records, Oliver’s national government of SNA has gone lethargic only one year into its three years tenure.
Oliver, where are the promised NEC meetings? Where is the constitutional review process? Where is Artist Registration Council legislation? Where are the well-organized National exhibitions? Where is our Creative Dialogue Journal? Could it be a case of stepping into oversized shoes as one big art collector intoned just after your election or is it the issue of member’s apathy? Whichever it is, the history you made for which you are the first full time professional artist on the hot but exalted sit, must be taken seriously and not trifled with. You must therefore fill into your position and through wide consultations carry everybody along.
I therefore wish to use this opportunity to implore all artists to step up their interest in the affairs of SNA. SNA signifies our collective and cooperate existence. The recent celebration of SNA at 50 was the testimony of the labours of our heroes past of which we continue to pray that their effort should not to be in vain. I believe posterity will not forgive our generation if we do not build conscientiously and consciously on the existing foundation of our forebears and in turn provide for them for then reasons to celebrate in the future.
SNA it is time to wake up from our slumber against the backdrop of developmental downswing of the Society. This is a clarion call that should be heralded by all well-meaning creative minds to rejuvenate this Society. This can be done by preserving its today and securing its future as well. As 2014 meets us all well, let us wake up to our duties.
Dr. Edewor Nelson (Chairman SNA Delta) is a Senior Lecturer with the Delta State University Abraka. He is also a Post-Doctoral Leventis Fellow of the Center for African Arts (CAS), SOAS, University of London.
•Dr Edewor is a senior lecturer at the Delta State University, Abraka
