IGR: Society urges government at all levels to look into arts
By Oluwaseyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
A Professional Art Society, Gessomate has declared that arts in Nigeria has progressed over the years in several new aspects spinning up, unlike it was in the 80s.
The society, made the declaration at an exhibition held at Alliance Francaise, Iyaganku, Ibadan, to celebrate its 25th anniversary, tagged, “Mind Searching A Commemorative Art Exhibition.”
Ellis Oyekola, Founder, Centre For African Art and Designs, in his speech at the event, affirmed that arts in Nigeria has advanced positively over the years.
Oyekola said, “I finished in the university in 1985. Arts is now out of its rudimentary stage; it now involves technology, and ICT has further exposed it globally.
“Arts is blossoming in Nigeria, and the youths are making good use of it and ICT, with its graphic section these days don’t use their hands to draw like in my days, but rather use the computer.
“Arts has evolved and will keep evolving.”
He noted that government has a lot to do in terms of arts and should gear up and start taking arts seriously, especially in secondary schools.
“Our teachers do not teach arts anymore, instead, they teach music and drama. I personally took it upon myself to offer free training to the young ones interested in arts at my centre.
“I am giving back to the society what the society has given me,”he said
The Head of Department, Arts, Design and Printing Technology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Mr Felix Egunjobi, expressed optimism that more values would be placed on works of arts.
He advised government at all levels to know that arts is one of the ways of generating revenue, saying there are many arts that are domicile in our strengths.
Mr Abiola Olugbile; President, Gessomate Professional Society, said that they are celebrating arts, friendship and bound that has kept the artists together in the past 25 years of promoting arts in the country.
He decried the patronage of arts, saying it has not been encouraging, while arts is life, good, make people show things and reflects our tradition, culture and gives to indepth thinking.
“Arts is large and government can explore all areas of arts for more revenue,” he said
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