Turner-Moyet, Odunlade, Others Advocate Preservation Of African Culture
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN- Some notable Art curators and enthusiasts including Olaide Turner-Moyet, Professor of Arts and Dance, Chief Tunde Odunlade, the Zonal Director (Southwest) and Curator of the National Museum of Unity (NCMC), Aleshinloye, Ibadan, Mrs. Oriyomi Otuka Pamela, Toyin Odugbesan have called for reservations of African art, culture and traditions.
Just as the art stakeholders emphasized the need for Africans to celebrate their roots and honoring their stories to inspire pride in future generations.
Speaking at the 7th Art Competition and Inter-Schools Talent Hunt Exhibition, the stakeholders in attendance noted that African cultural heritage is crucial for fostering sense of identity and promoting intercultural understanding.
They also maintained that Africans can create a future where their rich cultural heritage thrives by embracing diverse traditions, celebrating their unique identities and fostering pan-Africa unity.
The exhibition which was held at the National Museum of Unity (NCMC), Aleshinloye, Ibadan with the theme”My African Roots; My Pride” had in attendance some students from various schools within and outside Ibadan, art curators and enthusiasts across the world.
In her address, the convener of the exhibition, Olaide Turner-Moyet urged Africans not to relent in celebrating their roots, honor their stories and inspire the pride that will shape the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders.
She further said that the future of Africa is now not tomorrow, hence the need for young talents to take their future in their hands.
Speaking on the theme of the event, Turner-Moyet said the theme was born out of a vision towards bridging creativity with purpose, seeing the platform as fertile ground where self awareness meets skills, building where artistic expression meets cultural education, and where seeds of leadership are sown through imagination and dialogue.
She said, “The mission is to foster confidence and curiosity in young minds by allowing them to in their perspective and sculpt their stories. This event is an initiative deeply rooted in purpose, passion and profound power of creative expression.
“The inspiration behind this initiative is the pressing need to engage and empower next generation by building their confidence, nurturing their talents towards providing meaningful exposure that validates their dreams.” Olaide said.
In his remarks, Chief Tunde Odunlade urged Nigerians across the world to united and ensure that the nations arts and culture don’t go into extinction, saying Nigerians must always promote the nations arts and culture because wisdom is domicile in it.
He cited Caribbeans and holy land of Mecca as places where potentials in arts, culture and tourism is being trapped to generate money for the government.
He urged government to create enabling environment for talented youths to thrive for them to use their potentials to become better people in future.
He stated that youths are the future of tomorrow, adding that government must give the right kind of education that is critical towards the development of the nations roots, arts and culture.
He said, “As a nation, we will not move forward if we lost our arts and culture, Nigeria arts is one of the best across the world because wisdom domicile in it.”
One of the guest lecturer at the event, who is the Director of Medical Social at Services Univerisity College Hospital, Ibadan (UCH), Olagunju Adelayo urged parents to always watch and monitor their younger ones for them to stay away from whatever that can jeopardize their academic pursuit.
He however called for reinstatement of moral instructions in school curriculum.
Also in his remarks, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in the state, Hon Segun Olayiwola who was represented by the Registrar (Exams) of the Ministry, Mr. Johnson Awodeji, said Nigeria, particularly Oyo State has a lot of talented youths, urging Nigerian leaders to tap into their potential so as to ensure that the skills in them don’t die or waste.
The Media Head, Young Artist Art hub, Comrade Olawale Ogunbusola (feipa) also charged students to make good use of their talents, he noted that their talents can give them opportunity to dine and wine with the kings and queens if nurtured well and discovered at the right time.
Olawale however called on the parents to always watch their children and help them nurture their God given potentials which can make them become somebody great in life.
Highlights of the event was presentation of award to schools that won Music, Drama, Virtual Art, Mime and Dance competition which included LeadCity International School, St. Louis Grammar School, Bodija International College(Snr. &Jnr.), Quiblah International School, Community High School Iseyin and Community High School, Samonda respectively.