The National Gallery of Art (NGA), Nigeria with the rest of the world celebrated Children’s Day on 27th of May 2010. The theme of this year’s Children’s Day celebration was: “Our Culture, Our Pride”. It was the same for all the NGA outstations. The celebration was with pomp and pageantry with wonderful performances and presentations by children from both primary and secondary schools within the Federal Capital Territory in the areas of cultural dances, drama, and poetry. A major aspect of the celebration was the exhibition of selected art works produced by some kids who attended the Saturday Arts club
programme. An art education programme which takes place at the premises of the NGA and the outstations simultaneously, on Saturdays fortnightly. This “catch them young “ programme is targeted at kids in both primary and secondary schools in order to expose them to art appreciation and basic training in art in the areas of paintings, textiles, sculptures, graphics and ceramics. A total of 55 artworks were exhibited. The event also witnessed the presentation of awards to deserving schools and students in the different award categories; including consolations prizes. The occasion which was attended by 18 primary schools and 15 secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had over 2000 children in the event, which had the Chief host as Alh. Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed, the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation; Chairman, Senate Committee on Tourism, Culture and National orientation, Senator Dahiru Bako Gassol, as the Special Guest of Honour, while the Chairman of the occasion was the Chairman of the Board of the NGA, Barrister Peter Eze. Although, the above mentioned dignitaries were not present due to prior engagements, they were however, ably represented. The exhibition was declared open by Mr. J. O. Odekina, the Director of Tourism in the Ministry; who represented the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Culture & National Orientation. It was a fulfilled Ag. Director-General of the NGA, Mr. Abdullahi Muku, on whose shoulders, rest the responsibility of the mandate of the NGA, as he looks forward with satisfaction to the next NGA programme. It was a memorable experience for participating Nigeria children as they looked resplendent in their various cultural attires and keenly competed in the various award categories.
Maybe we can also say “Our children, Our Pride”
By: Magnus Ojeonu
AD(Programme Analyst)
Tuesday 2, June, 2010.
"I therefore urge parents to encourage their children to study art and to use their skills/talent to contribute meaningfully to the development of the Nigerian State." Excerpt from the speech of Ag. Director-General (NGA) at the event .
