Eminent Nigerians and art lovers will, on Sunday, May 23, join the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Chair, CIG Motors, Chief Diana Chen, in honouring foremost textile designer and gallery owner, Chief (Mrs) Nike Okundaye at a dinner marking her 70th birthday.
The Lagos State Government and Chen’s GAC Motors are hosting the creative industry icon at the Banquet Hall, Eko Hotel, Victoria Island by 6pm to celebrate her outstanding achievements in both the arts and life.
Born in 1951 in Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, Nike’s artistic skills were nurtured at a young age by her parents and great grandmother. She spent the early part of her life in Osogbo, where she further honed her craft in ‘adire’ making.
She also married fellow maverick artist, the late Twins Seven Seven in Osogbo and began training interested women and youth on making tie and dye. She didn’t stop there as she organised them to get better value for their products from patrons.
She established four art centres/galleries in Osogbo, Ogidi-Ijumu, Abuja and Lagos, which offers free training to young artists in visual, musical and performing arts.
She is the owner of the Nike Art Centre, Lekki, which holds over 7,000 artworks.
Her biography, ‘Bata Mi a Dun Ko Ko Ka’, written by Kofo Adeleke with a foreword by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Renee Sanders, was launched last December.
Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, renowned artist, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya and CEO, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyeama, was among the guests.