(PRESS RELEASE)
Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya would be conferred with Society of Nigeria’s (SNA) highest award, Lord of the Arts at its 2023 conference on Art and Development (CONADEV) tagged, “Refocusing the Art, Through Theory and Practice Towards Nation Building.” The event holds from Tuesday, 7th—Thursday, November, at Exhibition Pavilion, opposite Radio House, Garki, Abuja.
Activities line up are: the Annual General Meeting of the National and State Chapter Executives; conference/paper presentations/plenary session and art exhibition and awards night on November 9.
President, SNA, Muhammad Sulaiman, said the theme of the conference underscores the need for a paradigm shift in the theory and practice of visual arts in Nigeria to key-in to national development. On the awardees, he declared: “they are worthy Nigerians who have contributed meaningfully to the growth and development of visual arts in Nigeria.”
Some of the notable personalities slated for the awards are: Senator Ireti Kingibe, Prof. Akachi Adimora Ezeigbo, (Distinguished Patronship award); Prof. Nyaudo Ndaeyo, Dr. John Asein, Arc. Abiodun Oluwole Olutayo, Oji Onoko (Honorary Fellowship award); Prof. Abba I. Tijani, Prof. Sunday Enessi Ododo, Dr. Simon Ikpakronyi (Distinguished Service Award); Ocheche Agbo, Dr. Sunkanthy Egharevba, Prof.Tijani Iyabo Khadijah (Fellowship award), among others.
According to Akeni Prosper, SNA’s Secretary General, the Society was founded in 1963, by some notable Nigerian modern artists : Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Uche Okeke, Bruce Onobrakpeya, and others. “It is the umbrella body for all Nigerian professional visual artists, art groups, and associations in Nigeria.
It remains the statutory art body that has strategically promoted professionalism positioning Nigerian visual arts and artists for local and international recognition, encouraging the development through dedicated practice and scholarly engagements.”
He added that SNA’s endorsement of an artist “qualifies him or her for artistic professionalism at some public level, and outright recognition and promotion in the academia. The Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) engenders the highest standards of scholarship, creativity, criticism and teaching in the visual arts in Nigeria to encourage intellectual advancement and the development of skills that enrich visual arts professionals and their contribution to national development.
Full list of awardees and category::
HONOURARY FELLOWSHIP.
- Hajiya Ladidi Ibrahim Garko.
- Ahmed Abba Yusuf.
- Jeff Ajueshi.
- Mishak Nnanta.
- Ezinne Evelyn Iheoma Osuagwu
- Ngozi Nwangwa.
- Ibrahim Abdullahi Haruna.
DISTINGUISHED PATRONSHIP AWARD.
- Mazi Barr. Uche Ohia.
- Ogbuewu Ifanyi Stanley.
- Ezeonu Paul Olisaemeka
- Ireti Kingibe.
- Arthur Harris- Eze.
- Don Onyenyi.
- Philomena Okoye.
- Oby Lilian Oragbu.
- Chief Okwy Ogbuefi.
- Ngozi Anyankora.
- Chief Amadi Theophilus Chukwuemeka.
- Izuchukwu Nwosu.
OUTSTANDING GALLERY AWARD.
- Orisun Art Gallery, Abuja.
- Discovery Museum.
- Stella Idiong Art Gallery, University of Uyo.
- Gemini Art Gallery, Lagos.
FELLOWSHIP AWARD
- Ikenna Aghanya
- Omosigho Osayemen Vivien
- Ikwuegbu Francis Nnamdi
- Ngumah Hyacinth Chidozie
- John Kelechi Okpara
- Okoye Ogochukwu Violet
- Etido EffiongWilliam Inyang
- Timipre Willis Amah
- Aderinkomi John Adeleye
- Emembo Chike Ositadimma
- Jeremiah Unimke
- Farrukh Mubushara
- Gerald Chukwuma
- Florence Onochie
- Hamsatu Sale
- Osamudiamen Ogunbor Ikpowonmsa
- Samuel Akprara
- Odun Orimola
- Dotun Popoola
- Animu Oboirien
- Omoligho Omoye Udenta
- Andrew Akinbodewa
- Israel Eadyson Benamaisia
- Akinlawon Alaba Soremekun
- Ayoola Oluwaseun Omovo:
- Balogun M. Adeola
- Saheed Adelakun
