There is ray of hope for Tonie Emodi, art teacher, and sculptor who is being hospitalised for a spinal cord injury.

There is a ray of hope for Tonie Emodi, the Yaba College of Technology art teacher, and sculptor who is being hospitalised for a spinal cord injury. The African Foundation for Arts, AFA, and Society of Nigerian Artists, SNA, recently held an exhibition tagged "Save a life today," to raise N16.8 million for Emodi's treatment abroad. The exhibition was held at the Mmili Mma Gallery, Lagos .

Works of various artists based in Lagos such as paintings, pottery, metal sculpting, print designs, etchings were displayed at the ceremony. Other highlights of the exhibition included a 15-minute documentary on how to rescue accident victims and a book launch to support the fund.

The book titled Bones and Bronze, was written by Chuka Nnabuife, a journalist and poet. The book discussed in details the plight of the sculptor. "After thinking of what to do to help Emodi, I decided to document his experiences in a book," Nnabuife said.

The fight to save Emodi started with SNA of which he is a member. Kunle Adeyemi, SNA chairman said the association had earlier organised series of exhibitions through which one million naira was raised. Angela Onyeador, AFA's managing director gave a N500,000 donation. Also, Adrian Wood, managing director of MTN Nigeria gave N1 million while another N500,000 was received from the National Gallery of Art.

Other guests included Nike Oshinowo, former beauty queen; Bruce Onabrekpeya, artist and printmaker; Umebe Onyejekwe, curator of national museum, and artists from diverse fields who praised the efforts of the association.

Emodi, currently at the National Orthopaedic Hospital , Igbobi is expected to receive treatment at the Stroke Mandevilla Hospital , London where the physicians have promised he can walk again. Many could not hold back tears as Emodi arrived the venue. He said he was not yet ready to die. "I want to live and accomplish more for the creative arts and to enjoy God's free gift of walking," he said.

Onyeador said the exhibition was a contribution by artists to save Emodi's life and give him hope again. "I want to see Tonie walk again, he has a fighting spirit that we cannot just let go like that, and my aim is to institutionalise this fund as a way of helping artists in dire need," Angela told Newswatch.

A graduate of fine arts from Ahmadu Bello University , Zaria , Emodi is one of the few bronze sculptors still teaching in a higher institution. His works include the giant bronze torch used for the last NIPOGA games and the mother and child sculptor in front of Ayinke House, at the General Hospital , Ikeja.

Emodi, 36, was a victim of an automobile accident which occurred along Benin-Sagamu Expressway in January this year.

Newswatch Volume 36 No 13, September 30, 2002