Linda Iwuala & Tolu Onibokun
1 January 2009
Lagos — In another initiative to fulfil its mission statement "to promote public interest in the understanding and appreciation of Black and African arts and culture, with a view to emphasizing the contributions of black and African people to world civilization, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) recently organized a painting competition for children.
The competition with the theme "Africanice 08" was organized in honour of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in appreciation of his huge contributions to the emancipation of Blacks from apartheid and also for the attainment of true democracy in South Africa.
Explaining why the exhibition was tied around Mandela, Prof. Tunde Babawale (Director/ Chief Executive Officer) said "Dr. Nelson Mandela is a patron of arts. As a mark of his interest in art, Mandela has an Arts Museum instituted in his honour in South Africa. He also supports the use of arts in raising awareness about the existence of social challenges that are surmountable. By association, he is equally a friend and patron of the Centre".
In addition to this, he explained that the occasion was also organized to "reawaken the dwindling interest in art" as the role of art in national growth and development is underestimated and the teaching and learning of art in schools no longer receive the required attention.
Speaking further, he expounded that "Africanice 08 Mural Competition is organized to re-inscribe Africanity in the edifice through mural that confirms indigenous African artistic talent and creativity. Consequently, this competition is to recognize the contributions of Nigerian professional and budding artists to the promotion of African history and culture over the years"
In the welcome address delivered by his representative, Mr. B.K. Sobayo, the Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, commended CBAAC's efforts and assured them of the continuous support of the ministry. He also expressed his relief on the movement of CBAAC to the Island and his belief of greater achievement for the Centre.
In her address, Chairman of the occasion, Mrs. Oprah Benson, said Mandela is Africa's crown prince and encouraged the young ones to step in the right direction.
The panel of judges for the occasion consisted of Chief Joe Musa (DG, National Art Gallery), Mr. Mike Omoighe (Dean of Student Affairs, Yabatech), Dr. Kunle Filani (Provost, Federal College of Education) and Dr. Peju Olayiwola.
In a paper read by Dr Kunle Filani, he stated the criteria used for judging the 22 works presented in the competition and also called on students for "greater thinking". They are: craftsmanship (rendition of the ideas), thematic relevance and suitability (display of the works). Also included is the use of material and final rendition of the works.
For the competition, the 1st prize went to Dudu Emmanuel, 2nd prize to Sodade Ayoola and the 3rd to Bello Olayiwola. Consolation prizes were given to Joseph Eze, Ogunsanya Adekunle, Emmaculate Okwaraoha, Jimoh Onigbinde, Collins Ihejinka, Arinla Rasaq and Akano Fauziyat.
The Curator of National Museum, Mrs. Asheye Ibironke, Cultural and Creative Art Forum, Akin Onipede and Dr. Olayinka Quddus Amoni, Miss Winifred Adeyemi, Justice Falode, Mr Ayomide (Chairman, Ayomide Ventures) were also present at the occasion.
Other highlights of the event are the poem rendition by Adeleke Damola, one of the students present at the event. The poem titled "A Tribute to the Living Legend" was composed by her teacher, Charles Udoh, in honour of Mandela. Also, a drama was presented by members of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Art Practitioners (NANTAP) and a dance drama of an excerpt from the book Shaka, the Zulu by Triptych Entertainment. Jimi Solanke of "Tales by Moonlight" and his band also thrilled the audience with highlife music and had people either singing along with him or swaying to the rhythm of the music.
In a related development, The center for Black African Arts Civilization (CBAAC), last week, also celebrated children's Christmas Cultural Festival 2008. The children's yearly christmas cultural festival has become a platform for showcasing the nation's rich cultural heritage, as well as creating an avenue for the discovery of talents in the various genre of the creative art. This year's edition tagged, The child in the new millennium, which took place at the Banquet/conference Hall of the National Theatre, Lagos, attracted participants from various schools in Lagos. The children came dressed in traditional attires representing various ethnic groups in Nigeria.
The students gave some presentations which included dance drama, cultural dance, art exhibitions and fashion shows as ways of demonstrating their knowledge of their culture.
The Director/CEO of CBAAC, Tunde Babawale, who was represented by one his Deputy Directors, Mr. Shedrach Golen, said that the festival aims at creating an impact on the children so that they can begin to appreciate values and beauty of African culture.
According to him, the decision of the Center is to use this period of the festival to promote African culture and also, to redirect attention of children to the beauty of culture. The festival, he continued, is to also to serve as a launching pad, where future African leaders will be nurtured for the challenges of the millennium.
"Before now, life in Africa had been devoid of predictability which characterizes contem-porary times. This deterioration in our social values has spurred CBAAC to target younger members of our generation for cultural orientation.
"Our interest in children is that, unlike adults, they are amenable to change if encouraged and made to see the positive aspects of Africa's rich cultural values. This view is fueled by the fact that countries of the world are fast discovering that true progress lies in the promotion and sustenance of indigenous culture." He said.
In his remark, Ambassador Segun Olusola, who chaired the occasion, noted that African culture has come to stay and will not be enslaved again. He also commended CBAAC for such an initiative and called for support for the event. He urged parents to encourage their children to speak their indigenous languages.
Among other guests present at the occasion were Mr. Bamidele Shobayo, who represented the Minister of Culture, Tourism and National orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, Oba Dokun Abodarin Orangun of Oke Ila and Mrs. Elizabeth Aina-Scott, who served as Mother of the Day, among others.
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