Mrs Oyenike Okundaye celebrating her award with friends. Photo: Oluwaseyi Ajibade/Radio Nigeria
The art subsector appears to have started attracting the attention of the government and other stakeholders in the creative subsector following the recognition of some Nigerians who have excelled in the world of arts.
The National Gallery of Arts (NGA) on Tuesday evening awarded nine Nigerians who through their artistry have influenced millions of people and generated employment opportunities for many others.
The awardees include; the Chief Executive Officer of Nike Arts Gallery, Oyenike Okundaye, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, Muhammad Sulaiman, and Patricia Nwocha.
Others include the veteran Journalist, Ojo Idabi, Gregory Nwakunor, Izuchukwu Agba, Helen Nzete and Thought Pyramid.
Recipient of the Visual Arts Personality of the Year Award, Oyenike Okundaye said she was overwhelmed that visual arts was gradually taking its rightful place in the country’s economic landscape.
She said the awards shows that with the support of the government, younger generations will be encouraged to take to the profession and grow the country’s creative sector.
The Director General of the Gallery, Ebeten Ivara described the recipients as visual arts ambassadors who deserved national honours.
Reporting by Oluwaseyi Ajibade; Editing by Muzha Kucha