By Bilqis Mohammed
The National Gallery of Art (NGA), Kogi center has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the media to boost the creative economy and empower the youths.
The Curator, National Gallery of Arts, Kogi State center, Mr Unkaba Shaibu, stated this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to The Graphic Newspaper recently.
Other members of the delegation include: Mr Kayode Alabi Head of Research, Mr Amoreley Abubaka, Human Resource Management and Mrs Roseline Fanope Head of Accounting.
Mr Shaibu said NGA was ready to identify and collaborate with the media and relevant stakeholders like The Graphic, to promote the creative potential of Kogi youths and to explore the transformative power of visual art in shaping the society.
He also stressed the significance of visual art in fostering innovation, empowering creative talents as well as driving economic growth and national development.
According to him, the partnership was part of a broader campaign by the National Gallery to help discover and promote the artistic talent of Kogi’s teeming youths while at the same time fostering the growth of the visual economy.
In addition, he said the partnership and program would be extended to schools in the state with the sole aim of crating a platform for budding talents to be discovered and equipped to be self reliant.
He further explained that the Kogi center was committed to complimenting President Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the sub-sector designed to boost the creative economy, harness talents and showcase Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy to the world through the art.
In his response, The Managing Director of The Graphic Newspaper, Mr Yusuf Itopa, lauded the center for contributing its quota to wealth creation, employment generation and economic transformation in the country through art.
He expressed dismay that people were yet to appreciate art despite it’s significant role in shaping the society.
Mr Itopa then implored the body to sustain the current advocacy campaign in order to preserve the nation’s cultural heritage, rich talents and potentials while assuring of the corporation’s readiness to partner with them to achieve their set goals.
The visit marks the beginning of a promising partnership between the National Gallery of Art and The Graphic Newspaper, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual support.
