partners
National Gallery of Art, Nigeria.
Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN)
4TH INTERNATIONAL ART EXPO LAGOS OPENS:
Chief Edem Duke, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation as the “Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria”
Chief Edem Duke, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation cuts the tape to open the 4th International Art Expo Lagos.
The long awaited 4th edition of the International ArtExpo Lagos organized by the National Gallery of Art (NGA) Nigeria in collaboration with the Art Galleries Owners Association of Nigeria (AGAN) opened as scheduled at the National Museum Onikan, Lagos on Saturday 3rd of December , 2011.
While it is on record that Mr. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which is the apex Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Bank, what became evident at the opening ceremony of the 4th International ArtExpo Lagos was that Chief Edem Duke, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation could be the “Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria”. The Honourable Minister in his keynote address unequivocally and confidently emphasized the importance and economic potentials of the Culture and Tourism subsector. According to Chief Duke, Nigeria with over 150 Million population has 36 States and 774 Local Government Areas with unique creativity and endowment. From the foregoing statistics, he inferred that the sum total was a huge economic potential waiting to be exploited. So while the CBN sits over cash and other monetary assets of the Country, Chief Edem Duke who is the Minister in charge of the Federal Ministry of Tourism and Culture, responsible for the identification, marketing and promotion of these huge resources could actually be the “Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria”.
In his welcome address, Dr. Abdullahi Muku, Director-General of the National Gallery of Art while welcoming the august gathering, stressed the importance of the Expo to the Artists in particular and the Nigerian economy in General. In his statement he said “The essence of the International ArtExpo for Nigeria, I must say is not only to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigerian people, but to serve as a veritable art trading event for gallery owners, patrons, art dealers and corporate art buyers….Thus, Nigerian visual art sector has the capacity to contribute to the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan led Administration.
Although this edition is holding in the month of December instead of the usual month of August, the DG stated that it was due to circumstances beyond the control of the NGA. He said that the month of August will be maintained.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi commended the Honourable Minister for attending the event in person, as it was the first time the Minister in charge of the Ministry will be attending the artexpo. He also on the occasion leant his voice to the call for the construction of a National Gallery, where the numerous works of Nigerian artists can be displayed. He prayed the Honourable Minster to use his good office to see to its realization. The ball is now in the court of the Honourable Minister. Stakeholders and even cynics believe that the Minister is actually a round peg in a round hole. Perhaps the collective dream of a befitting National Gallery may just be realized during the tenure of the Minister.
The High point of the event was the cutting of the tape to declare the exhibition open, accompanied by a tour of the exhibition led by the Honourable Minister.
Although the number of participating Galleries in this year’s edition is 24, a little less that the number at the last edition, this year’s presentation has been adjudged the most successful going by the quality of representations. Amongst dignitaries present were: Ambassador Akintonye, a patron of AGAN; Engr. Yemisi Shylon, a reputable Art Collector; the Consul General and his Wife representing the Ambassador of the United States of America; Chairman of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria; Chief Executives of Culture Parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation and Officials of Nasarawa State Ministry of Culture & Tourism.
To spice up the occasion, the National troupe of Nigeria was on hand with their scintillating performances; notably the KOLANUT Dance to the delight of the audience. To add more life to the event, Kolanuts were distributed so that everyone present could eat of it; and as they say “He who brings Kolanuts brings Life”.
The audience was well entertained and in addition with food and drinks to make the opening ceremony a memorable one.
Credit must be given to Chief Edem Duke, the Minister who was present all through the event in spite of his busy schedule, and participated actively, which shows his endorsement of the programmes of the Gallery of Art and recognition of the effort of the Director-General who presides over the parastatal. Kudos must also be given to Dr. Abdullahi Muku, Director-General of NGA for braving the odds to ensure that the 4th International Artexpo Lagos was held in keeping with tradition and meeting the aspirations of the teeming Galleries owners and art lovers.
It is noteworthy and to his credit that Dr. Muku has resuscitated the Annual Distinguished Lecture series. The 10th Annual Distinguished Lecture has been schedule for the 7th of December 2011 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. The topic “ Scanning For Antidote: The Pre-Cancerous States of Visual Arts in Nigeria Today” will be delivered by Prof. Ola Oloidi, the erudite Professor of Art History from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
In spite of the thrills and frills of the event, the only solemn aspect was the loss of Mr. Emmanuel Inua, an artist and member of AGAN, who worked tirelessly to setup the exhibition, but fate played a cruel one, as the cold hands of death snatched him at the eve of the opening ceremony. The DG before his address, led the audience to observe a minute silence in honour of the dead, and prayers were made for the repose of his gentle soul. The Honourable Minister who was well acquainted with the late artist spoke glowingly of Late Emmanual Inua. No doubt, the artists’ community and entire country have suffered another great loss; and our hearts go to the family of late Inua and we pray the Almighty God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The exhibition is open till the 10th of December, 2011.
Magnus Ojeonu
AD(Programme Analyst)
NGA