Abuja: Mr Ahmed Sodangi, the Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts (NGA), has reiterated the organisation’s commitment to fostering the cultural patrimony of art in advancing national growth. The Director-General made this known at the opening of the 3rd Abuja International Art Fair, themed ‘Intersection of Treasures’, in Abuja. Sodangi emphasized that the organisation is aiming for results that will impact the national economy at large.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Sodangi stated that the National Gallery of Art is determined to work with stakeholders to advance the art industry. He highlighted efforts towards amending the Establishment Act, which would transform the NGA into a revenue-generating agency. By becoming a generating agency, the NGA aims to propel the Nigerian visual arts sector, benefiting all stakeholders involved.
Sodangi also mentioned the agency’s collaboration with indigenous and foreign artists to facilitate global artistic collaboration. “In this edition of the International Art Fair, the NGA is partnering with indigenous and foreign artists, thereby facilitating the collaboration of professionals from different continents of the world. This synergy can only produce an entrepreneurial package that will be the delight of art connoisseurs. The result is what we are all witnessing today,” he added.
Mr Mohammed Sulaiman, National President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), also spoke at the event, reaffirming efforts to reenact the NGA Establishment Act. “Efforts are currently being made to reveal and reenact the NGA Establishment Act, and my commitment as the President of the Nigerian Artist, I will ensure that these plans come to fruition. In order for NGA to take its pride of place amongst the leading revenue-generating parastatals in the visual arts sector subsection,” he said.
Sulaiman applauded the NGA for its efforts to integrate Nigerian and international artists, noting, “I applaud the NGA for working towards achieving the holistic area where it attaches Nigerian artists and the international artists to ensure that it is a continuous process. What this means is that Nigeria will be Africa’s art friendliest country, and that is where the Nigerian artist wants to take it to.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the 3rd Edition of the International Art Fair is scheduled to celebrate Nigerian art and artists.
