The 3rd International Art Expo opened on Saturday 21st August, 2010 at the National Museum Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos, venue of the event, with a remarkable ceremony. The 7-day event which is a collaborative venture between the National Gallery of Art (NGA), the sole financier and the Art Galleries Association of Nigeria (AGAN) was chaired by Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, the Publisher of the Thisday Newspapers Ltd. The Special Guest of Honour was RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, Chairman, House Committee on Culture, Tourism and National Orientation of the National Assembly, while Alh. Abubakar Sadiq Muhammed, Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation who is the Chief Host of the occasion was unavoidably absent, due to prior engagement. Barr. Peter Eze, Chairman, Board of the NGA was ably represented by Chief Taiwo also a member of the Board.
The weeklong event started on a promising note with a capacity crowd that witnessed the opening ceremony. Amongst the eminent personalities from within and outside the arts & culture sector that graced the occasion were: Chief Bisi Lawrence Ahmed, a foremost Journalist; a representative of the Executive Governor of Nassarawa State, Alh. Aliyu Akue Doma; Mr Dauda Esu, Hon . Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Nassarawa State; Ambassador Akintola Williams; Prof. Patrick Akpan a member of Board of the NGA; Mr. Rasheed Badamosi, former Chairman of the Petroleum Pricing and Regulatory Authority (PPRA); Mr. Kolade Osinowo, former present of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA); Mr. Uwa Usen, President (SNA) and some renowned Nigerian artists such as Prof. Tonie Okpe and Jerry Buhari, Arts Lecturers from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in Kaduna State, to mention a few.
This year’s edition of the art expo was a remarkable improvement from the previous editions in the areas of participation; as over 35 Galleries are participating; with very high quality works of art. A notable improvement was the installation of Air Conditioners in the venue giving a cosy feel in the exhibition arena. The quality and capacity crowd that witnessed the opening ceremony was also gratifying. In fact, International Art Expo is growing from strength to strength.
The opening ceremony was not a time for elaborate speech making, but the consensus from the speeches by dignitaries present were the following:
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The commendation of the management of the NGA and AGAN in putting up a befitting event.
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The need for increased budgetary allocation to the culture sector by Governments at all levels
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The continued support and commitment of the National Assembly to the sector.
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Call on the organised private sector to support the arts and culture sector
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The fact that the arts and culture sector; and visual art in particular is capable of providing alternative source of revenue to the country.
A high point of the event was the presentation of the Young @ Art Children Art Workshop, one of the participating Galleries and which incidentally has been participated in the past editions of the art expo. An impressed Nduka Obaigbena commended the kids for their presentation. It was a special moment for the kids who had the opportunity of a group photograph with dignitaries led by the Chairman of the ceremony. The kiddies’ exhibition stand was filled with fascinating works of arts produced by the kids themselves.
According to Biodum Omolayo, the promoter of young @ Art and the Chief creative officer of Biodunomotayo Art Gallery in the National Museum Onikan, “the Young @ art children workshop is a platform for developing the children roundly, educate them so as to synchronize their minds with their hands in order to create beautiful things that will add value to themselves and the society at large”
The Exhibition is still open from 9:00am daily throughout the duration of the art expo. Remarkable additions to this year’s edition of the Expo was the introduction of Workshop for Art Journalists which will hold at 10:00 am on the 24th of August, 2010 at the National Museum Onikan, venue of the exhibition; and also a Seminar on the 26th of August, 2010. Renowned art scholars and practitioners will be on hand to deliver lectures at both events.
Satisfied with the organisation of the Art Expo, RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, the Special Guest of Honour addressed the press and on behalf of the Honourable Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole pledged continued support for the visual arts. He also use the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to provide seed money for the construction of a befitting edifice for the National Gallery.
In addressing the press an obviously elated Mr. Abdullahi Muku, on whose shoulders the burden of preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s visual arts rests; as exemplified by the Office of Director General of the National Gallery represents, commended the press for their commitment and support, while also using the opportunity to present other programmes of the NGA for the remainder of the year; and his vision to constantly push the frontiers of Nigeria’s visual art; as it is a major tool not only for economic empowerment of the Nigerian artists, but as a major revenue earner for the Country.
By. Magnus Ojeonu
AD(Programme Analyst, NGA)
A cross section of the High Table.
L/R :RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, Chairman, House Committee on Tourism,
Culture & National Orientation of the National Assembly; Chief Taiwo,
Rep. of the Board Chairman(NGA) and Mr. Abdullahi Muku, Ag. DG(NGA).
Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of the Thisday Newspaper cuts the Tape
to declare open the 3rd International Art Expo, Lagos.
On a lighter mood; Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Chairman of the occassion
enjoys a joke with RT. Hon. K. G. B. Oguakwa, Special Guest of Honour.
Chairman of the Occasion, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher of the Thisday Newspapers Ltd.
Following behind: Special Guest of Honour RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, Chairman, House Committee on Tourism, Culture & National Orientation; and Mr. Abdullahi Muku, Ag. DG(NGA) on a tour of the Exhibition.
Dignitaries(behind) L/R: Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, Publisher Thisday Newspapers Ltd,
Chairman of the Occasion; RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, Chairman,
House Committee on Tourism, Culture & National Orientation,
Special Guest of Honour; Mr. Abdullahi Muku, Ag. Director-General,
National Gallery of Art and Chief Okonta, Chairman of AGAN,
in a group photograph with Children of the Young @ Art
Children Workshop at their exhibition stand.
  
  
  
L/R: Mr Dauda Esu, Hon. Commissioner, Culture & Tourism, Nassarawa State;
Mr. Uwa Usen, President, Society of Nigerian Artist (SNA); Mr. Kolade Osinowo, former President(SNA)
A cross section of Guests at the opening ceremony
An Exhibitor’s Stand at the 3rd International ArtExpo 2010.
L/R: Special Guest of Honour, RT. Hon. K.G.B. Oguakwa, Chairman,
House Committee on Tourism, Culture & National Orientation and
Mr. Abdullahi Muku, Ag. DG (NGA) Address the Press after the opening ceremony.
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