BY NONYELUM JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The director general, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Ahmed Sodangi has urged parents to encourage their children to love art, maintaining that art is panacea to nation’s economic development.
The NGA Boss who said this on Monday during his speech at ‘Talent Hunt & Children’s Day Art Exhibition/Competition 2024’ in Kaduna said visual art is a very important economic industry that generate revenue, create jobs and develop communities.
“Visual art can help to diversify production, build competitive advantage, attract investment, support entrepreneurship and innovation, and promote cultural diversity and well-being”.
The director general who was represented by Ag director Curatorial Services Department, NGA, Mrs Mundung Bridget Akamai however, said that the creative industries are among the most dynamic sectors in the Nigeria’s economy, providing new opportunities for both the young and old.
“Visual art is a lifeblood of a growing economy like ours. It drives the creative industry which is just coming on at a time when creative solutions are needed to overcome national growth”.
“Nigeria’s visual art industry is yet to live up to its full potential, but according to experts, it has the capacity to contribute 100 billion dollars to the nation’s economy by 2030, when the
government and the private sector partner to create the enabling business environment”.
He however, said that art is powerful tool in promoting health and happiness in the community, adding that it is old fashion to think that all visual art does is to create and sell.
Earlier, the curator at National Museum Kaduna, Elkana Buckly said, Nigeria dependent on oil is major problem the country is facing, adding that government need to invest more in visual art.
He said, “Our crude oil will finish one day but talent never dies. Visual art is the latest gold mining”.
The zonal coordinator, northwest zone, NGA, Mohammed Idi urged parents, teachers and students to see art as avenue to create wealth.
