Enters, Nigeria: The future I see

published on Tuesday, November 17, 2009,
The Guardian Newspapers

Enters, Nigeria: The future I see
By Yemi Olakitan

LESS than a month after it was announced, African Artists Foundation (AAF)'s second national art competition has been receiving responses across the country.

This development, AAF Chairman, Mr. Azu Nwagbogu, said shows that Nigerian youths are aware of their artistic potentials and ready to explore them.

The competition, which is being organized in partnership with the Nigerian Breweries (NB) Plc "is reaching out to schools, art organisations, and international bodies nationwide."

To ensure that Nigerian youths make the best of this opportunity, Nwagbogu said: "some of the winning artists of last year's competition are also on a mission to spread the word in different parts of the country. One of AAF's curators Zainab Ashadu is currently at Abuja to meet with schools, organisations and the media."

The competition is opened to artists who are 30 years and below. The young artists are expected to submit an artwork inspired by the theme: Nigeria: The future I see.

These works are to be taken from four genres: new media, photography, painting and sculpture. They are to be submitted at any British Council office nationwide.

These works may also be submitted at Alliance Franaise and any Nigerian university campus. The artists are to ensure an acknowledgement is received after dropping the entry to ensure their entry is not lost. "All entries must be on CD/DVD formats," he said.

The competition carries a cash prize of N750, 000 each for four winners and instant catapult to fame would open up the four to numerous opportunities in the art sector across the nation and in the international community.

He said the foundation had concluded arrangements that would ensure that the winners derive the utmost benefit from wining the competition. One of them is a two weeks training workshops in which winners of the competition would be exposed to fresh ideas and techniques in creative art.

Project Coordinator, Chineye Olugazie said the NB Plc and the AAF are truly committed to making the competition national by assembling the best talents around, which is one of the major objectives of the AAF.

Mr. Vivian Ikem of NB Plc., traced his company's involvement in the competition to its determination to be socially responsible.

Ikem said the company is also involved in education, sports and culture sppnsorships.

While declaring that NB Plc is committed to sustaining the growth of arts and all artistic expressions in Nigeria, he noted that such sensitive areas are not left entirely in the hands of Federal and state governments.

"Only the private sector can effectively reach the grassroots and develop human resources and potentials to enviable standards,"

He added that the Nigerian Golden Pen Awards, which was organised for journalists, was designed to develop creativity and professionalism in the country.