Velodrome unveiled for Nigeria’s artistic journey

The exhibition was declared open at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja, last Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed. In his speech delivered by the minister, President Jonathan noted that the exhibition is one of the major events marking […]

The exhibition was declared open at the Velodrome of the National Stadium, Abuja, last Wednesday by President Goodluck Jonathan who was represented by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed. In his speech delivered by the minister, President Jonathan noted that the exhibition is one of the major events marking the Nigeria @ 50 celebrations. Describing it as a splendid kaleidoscope of images that captured the nation’s achievements in various ways, the president noted that, “The exhibition represents the vagaries of the people’s life as a nation and encapsulates the whole range of idiosyncrasies, emotion and informed choices.” The President said that the six-week outing will not only evoke sober and meditative reflections but also calls for stock-taking and self evaluation.

He identified that added that due to importance attached to culture as an integral part of people’s existence, Nigeria has been in the forefront of cultural renaissance and social regeneration in the continent, which culminated in the hosting of the 2nd Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77). Remarking on the long awaited National Cultural Policy and the Endowment Fund for the Art, he said, both issues were receiving due attention as catalysts for the promotion of art and culture in the country. “I have directed for the Endowment of the Arts, which is an enabling financial instrument for our artists to be examined more retrospectively so that the legal instrument would be a veritable catalyst for empowering our artists.”

The president went on to emphasise that Nigeria has remained a cultural beacon to the rest of Africans and Africans in the Diaspora through its ability to sign to the cultural standard setting instruments of international bodies such as ECOWAS, AU, UNESCO, UNDIROIT and ACP-EU.

Speaking on behalf of Alhaji Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Alhaji Maye, stated that having survived most of the nation’s challenges is an assurance that the dwindling economy will one day wake up from its slumber.

With a concept based on the historical narrative about the achievements, challenges and aspiration of our country, the exhibition tells the story of Nigeria’s cultural freedom as it presents the actual works in physical and virtual formats.

The National Stadium Velodrome was transformed into a mega exhibition arena to accommodate the displays. According to Mr. George Ufot, Chairman of the Exhibition Sub-Committee, the exhibition strategy includes a central space specially designed for the expected 200 masterpieces from the National Commission of Museums and Monuments (NCMM). He added that there was also an upper level platform which displayed a pot pourri of different kinds of exhibits from the country.

Works on display include paintings, sculptures, installations, and mixed media amongst others; all of which were characteristic of traditional Nigerian art, contemporary Nigerian art, Science &Technology, History, as well as Made-in-Nigeria products and documentaries on military matters.

One of the major highlights of this exhibition is the featuring of the bronze sculpture of the Queen Elizabeth of England by the renowned Nigerian sculptor, the late Ben Enwonwum alongside classical other sculptural masterpieces from master artists.

Housing terra cotta heads and other classical art master pieces from the Nok, Cross River monoliths, Ife and Benin art world, was a ‘temple’ set in the middle of the exhibition bowl showcasing these relics from the collection of the National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM) as well as from private and educational institutions. These, Ufot said, demonstrate a vibrant and dynamic cultural development of our great nation.”

The exhibition gave opportunity to an array of exhibitors from a wide range of the Nigerian populace under government agencies like the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), thirteen tertiary institutions like the Institute of Management Technology (IMT), Yaba College of Technology, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria as well as the private sector with the likes of Cyril Nwokoli, Yusuf Grillo, Bruce Onobrakpeya. The event was well organised to enhance effective management.

The exhibition was curated by Jerry Buhari, Associate Professor of Fine Arts, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; Mr. Uwa Usen, President, Society of Nigerian Artists and Mr. Mayo Adediran, Director of Museums, National Commission for Museum and Monuments.

The exhibition served as education and entertainment for visitors like the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Mahesh Sachdev who expressed great awe for the calibre of works on display. He said, “The works here are absolutely breathtaking. They show that indeed Nigeria is King. Despite being only fifty years, what she has is more than what some nations of a hundred years have.”

The exhibition will be on till October 31st, 2010. The National Council for Arts helmsman man, Mr. Malgwi Maidugu described the Nigeria @ 50 fiesta as a celebration for all Nigerians especially at this exhibition where all the relevant organisations, individuals, groups and stakeholders have been required to make an impact with the NCAC being one of such. He expressed satisfaction over the exhibits by the NCMM as he noted that the NCAC had not failed to depict contemporary cultural industries particularly in the area of tangible industry like crafts, pottery, painting and dress making, amongst others.

Also present were the ambassadors of Guinea, Germany, Iran, Botswana.