OBA ABOLARIN - EXPLORE CREATIVE INDUSTRY TO BOOST NIGERIA’S ECONOMY

The Orangun of Oke Ila, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin has called on the government at all levels and Nigerians to enhance the creative industry for the expansion of Nigerian economy.

Oba Abolarin made this clarion call in his speech as a special guest of honour in Ota – Efun, Osogbo, Osun State during the inauguration of Genesis Arts Gallery last Saturday.

Oba Abolarin described Genesis Arts Gallery as “ A wonderful dream brought to reality by a prodigious and skillful young man who refused to allow the talent to  die in him, who did not only oil his interest at sculpturing, painting and cloth dying but went many miles ahead to establish the second biggest Arts Gallery.

This is a monstrously   rare creative edifice, which contains spectacular and amazing works of arts that showcase the creative ingenuity of brilliant souls who expressed their inner flow with outstanding creativity items”.

He pointed out “With this kind of creativity at large which is copiously expressed in various forms, in their state of originality by the curator of this gallery and his colleagues   is a testimony that Nigeria has all it takes to shore up its economy by encouraging and enhancing the creative economy”.

Oba Abolarin called on government at all levels to encourage and enhance the expression of talents and partner with practitioners and players in the creative industry to create employment, generate income and mobilise wealth.

He commended Mr Yinka Fabayo, the founder of Genesis Arts Gallery for his tenacity of purpose and agrarian passion with which he has been fuelling his vision on arts, artworks and creative activities

Speaking on his feat, Fabayo, said “Genesis Arts is my humble contribution to socio–economic and cultural growth in Osogbo, It was conceived out of my passion to call attention to the import and importance of art works in Nigeria and particularly in Osogbo, the hub of cultural expression in Yoruba land”.

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He revealed, “Osogbo is the heartbeat of creative arts in Nigeria.  In the early 60s and 70s, Osogbo art was it, but it receded and slowed down for years until recently. Hence my determination to build this gallery, organise this exhibition tagged Risorgimento, launch my Art Foundation, Christian Osogbo Arts Alive and commend the Art Masters, the elders with Legendary awards. All which we are going to achieve today”.

Mr Fabayo pointed out that the 62 works on parade at the gallery are the handiwork of eight artists from diverse geopolitical artistic cultural experience and are symbolic representation of three generations of artists of Osogbo who are individually making waves in the world. “These artists, Realwan Olarenwaju, Rabiu Adeleke Philip Olanipekun, Dotun Popoola, Iyiola Kazeem, Taiwo Adeyeye, Victor Eguaboi  and Yinka Fabayo have and are beating the artistic platform with their creative ingenuity which are on parade for showcasing”.

He said ‘It will be unfair for me to inaugurate this edifice of art without honouring the legends and pathfinders who have made their indelible marks in this sector. Hence,  Chief Muriana   Oyelami, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Chief Nike Okuundaiye, Rabiu Adeleke Isaac Ojo Fajana, Deaconess Bintu Olaniyi, Adebisi Fabunmi,  and Kikelomo Oladepo Adeleke will go home with Legend Awards for their inspiring roles in the lives of emerging artists in Osogbo”.

It is not  only the array of traditional rulers ,  delegates from the National Arts Gallery , representative of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola , who was the chairman at the events and the sax man who blew uninterruptedly for five minutes that endeared the occasion to many, but the cultural display by the students of Abolarin College who dazzled guests with spectacular dances and scintillating music .