Stakeholders unveil UK/Nigeria 2015–16 season of arts in Nigeria

British Council team

BY ADA DIKE

History was made last week Friday, August 20, 2015 when people from all walks of life converged at the British Council premises, Ikoyi, Lagos for the launch of UK/Nigeria 2015–16 as a major season of arts in Nigeria.

The evening began with Director Arts Nigeria, British Council, Ojoma Ochai, setting the tone and reeling out some of the programmes for the event. Shortly after, writer, blogger, radio presenter and poet, Wana Wana went to the stage and recited some poems including “I want to be a star”, “You are not like a catfish” and “Home”.

Ada Dalyn Dike (Me) at the unveiling of UK/Nigeria 2015–16 as a major season of arts in Nigeria

Welcoming guests, the Deputy High Commissioner of the British High Commission, Mr. Simon Shercliff, said UK/Nigeria 2015–16 promises to be an exciting year. “There will be new connections between the two countries in arts, education, innovation, trade and investment. The timing could not be better since our countries have new government elected earlier this year and the Presidents of the new governments have already made numerous pledges to start strong relationships between our two countries. And this excellently new British Council programme, will, I hope, make a meaning to those pledges.”

KPeace and his team

He pointed out that the Nigerian Creative Industries have arguably, never been stronger. “As Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa last year,…” According to Shercliff, Nollywood of course, is world famous but the huge interest is in Nigerian music, fashion and art, our great digital landscape is breaking down geographical barriers like never before. On the UK side, the creative industry is already one of the UK’s great strength and rapidly increasing in size and length. Our creative size is now worth 71.4 billion pounds per year to the UK’s economy. This means eight million pounds per hour to the UK economy. That is a huge amount.”

He hinted that employment around music and films is increasing in the UK and added that “the new government in the UK is committed to strengthen the relationship between the two countries. This relationship already covers a huge range of activities of both countries. There is no doubt; they can get thicker and stronger.

“Having been here for a year and half, wherever I go, one thing is clear, the core of this relationship is the strong cultural historical links between our two peoples. This links provide the bedrocks of business. The flourishing UK/Nigeria trade relationship is what we both want. We will work with businesses, institutions and individuals to support innovative and ever more diverse relationships between the UK and Nigeria, because that will ultimately make us all more prosperous. …This evening is a catalyst for more many new collaborations and projects. Nigeria is UK’s friend, ally and partner.  Let’s use this programme to turn our friendship into something really special.”

Speaking at the event, Country Director, Nigeria, British Council, Connie Price, said this week would make it two years she has been in Nigeria.“Both our countries are renowned for the breadth of our cultures and for our dynamic creative industries, so it is fitting to come together to initiate new collaborations.

“UK/NG 2015–16 is the biggest ever season of arts work by the British Council in Nigeria. We aim to foster cultural exchange as well as the flow of ideas and develop stronger relationships between people, institutions and governments across Nigeria and the UK.

 “The UK/Nigeria 2015/16 is the biggest ever season of arts in Nigeria that will feature more than 30 projects and over 80 events comprising fashion design, theatre, literature, dance, music as well as showcasing Nigerian creative Arts in the UK.  We are going to work in Abuja, Calabar and Lagos. Highlights of the first exhibition will include: public sculpture in Lagos and the first exhibition in Africa by Yinka Shonibare.

“Some of the key season events will include work created by leading British Company Candoco Dance with a cast of disabled and non-disabled dancers from Nigeria and the UK; work in the North of the country around theatre and conflict; projects designed to boost the creative industries in Abuja and Calabar; an Inter-Ministerial Conference; the return of Lagos Theatre Festival; and a residency Interwoven: Go Woman Go! by British artist Laura Aldridge in Abuja and Lagos,” she added.

The administrator of Ake Art and Book Festival, director at Book Buzz Foundation, Nigeria and author of three volumes of poetry and two children's books, Lola Shoneyin, expressed gratitude to the British Council for supporting the Association of Nigerian Authors convention in the past and also thanked the Council management for their immense support towards the annual Ake Art and Book Festival which holds in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Shoneyin recalled that earlier this year, she had the privileged to be in President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign train which traversed many states in Nigeria. “The gubernatorial aspirants spoke on what they would do for their states, not one of them spoke about Art and Culture, not one pointed to Art and Culture as a viable means for creating employment.”

She stressed the need for government to support Art and Culture and maintained that Nigeria is not only rich in cultural diversity but, it is giving the world celebrated authors, artists, poets, filmmakers, dancers and many others who reinvent the narratives and project the positive energy of this country.

The event was graced by large number of people from the many sectors, sponsors and young entrepreneurs from Nigeria and the UK including the President of the Nigerian Society of Artists, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu; Olisa Adibua, Bolanle Olukanni, Kemi Lala Akindoju, Tope Oshin, Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Tunde Sotimirin.

Others that stepped out to support the British Council included Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, Former Nigerian Ambassador to Australia, Arnold Jackson, from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council Abuja; Chioma Udeh, Founder, AFRIFF; Permanent Secretary and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Funmilayo Balogun, and others.

DJ Sose held it down as he thrilled guests with good music while Nigerian Idol season 5 winner, KPeace and his team held guests spell bound as he dished out both classical and indigenous tunes (Fuji fused music) which sent guests singing and dancing while sipping palmwine and assorted wines.UK/Nigeria 2015–16 is a major season of arts in Nigeria aimed at building new audiences, creating new collaborations and strengthening relationships between the UK and Nigeria. The programme will begin in September 2015 and run until April 2016.

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