At the ‘Deconstructing Unity’ exhibition in Lagos, Nigerian visual artists emphasized the need for greater investment in culture as a catalyst for economic growth and a powerful tool for fostering national unity

A collective of Nigerian visual artists has passionately called for increased investment in the nation’s rich cultural heritage, highlighting its potential to spur economic growth and serve as a vital instrument for fostering national unity.

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The artists made their appeal at the ongoing exhibition themed ‘Deconstructing Unity,’ which prominently features the Argungu Fishing Festival, on Tuesday in Lagos, Nigeria.

The exhibition, organized by Gallery Happ Circle, a group art exhibition showcasing the works of four visual artists – Klaranze Okhide, Moses Oghagbon, Kunle Ogunfuyi, and Abdulrazaq Ahmed – concludes today, April 30th.

Kunle Ogunfuyi, a photojournalist with two decades of experience covering the Argungu Fishing Festival, presented works that delved into the deeper cultural significance of the event.

He emphasized that the festival is far more than just a fishing competition, showcasing the unique way of life of the community. Ogunfuyi highlighted the crucial roles of the Mai Ruwas (water custodians), the vibrant participation of women, particularly the Lando Drummers, and the overall community spirit that the festival embodies.

“Now, women can be part of society, not the voice waiting to be heard anymore. Now, you have the women drumming, you have the women in the market space selling, which used to be men running the business and women at the back,” Ogunfuyi explained.

When the festival is going on; transaction in terms of businesses in the emirate goes up, even as low as the Mama Put are selling because tourists come. Other people from other parts of the region and across Nigeria come, they come to experience the festival. When the festival is going on, there is no Boko Haram,” said artist Kunle Ogunfuyi.

He further underscored the potential of festivals like Argungu, and others across Nigeria, as powerful tourism magnets capable of bridging cultural divides and fostering unity. Ogunfuyi urged the government to strategically leverage the unifying power of such events.

“When the festival is going on; transaction in terms of businesses in the emirate goes up, even as low as the Mama Put are selling because tourists come. Other people from other parts of the region and across Nigeria come, they come to experience the festival.

When the festival is going on, there is no Boko Haram,” he asserted. He also pointed out the existing knowledge gap between different regions of Nigeria, advocating for cultural exchange as a means to overcome division.

Another exhibiting artist, Klaranze Okhide, explained that her works aim to highlight the often-overlooked achievements of indigenous Nigerian societies. “I love our culture.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s Nupe culture, or it doesn’t matter to me whether it’s Gbagi, Yoruba or Hausa. I just like it. That’s why I’m in Nigeria. I can choose to be Nupe in my dress. If I want to be Jukun tomorrow, yes it’s within my rights,” she stated.

Speaking about her piece titled ‘Heritage,’ Okhide described it as a symbolic representation of the vital yet often unseen aspects of Nigerian culture.

“We hear a lot of negativity coming out from amongst us but we don’t look at the good. We don’t see the art, the culture, that has strived for centuries, long before technology came,” she concluded.