The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr Olanrewaju Saka, has said the newly introduced Quarterly Visual Arts Exhibition by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will provide a platform for promoting creativity, preserving cultural heritage and creating opportunities for artists to thrive.
Saka made this known at the flag-off of the quarterly exhibition organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
He commended the ministry for the initiative, noting that the exhibition would enable artists to showcase their creativity, gain visibility and contribute to the preservation of Ogun State’s rich cultural heritage.
The Head of Service, who recalled his experience as a trained and certified creative arts instructor, said visual arts were more than expressions of beauty and creativity, describing them as reflections of people’s identity, history and values.
He added that the creative industry offered opportunities for skills development, entrepreneurship, employment and economic empowerment.
Saka explained that the exhibition aligned with the vision of Governor Dapo Abiodun, encapsulated in the ISEYA mantra and his commitment to “Building Our Future Together”.
He said providing platforms for artists to develop their skills and connect with opportunities would contribute to human capital development and the growth of the creative economy.
Saka urged participating artists to remain committed to excellence, continuous learning and innovation, while calling on institutions, the private sector and members of the public to support creative talents.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, said the initiative was designed to provide artists with sustained visibility, market access and economic opportunities.
Fagbayi described the exhibition as “a deliberate step” towards creating continuous platforms where creativity could be showcased, celebrated and connected to opportunities beyond gallery walls.
He said the initiative would also strengthen the relationship between culture, creativity, tourism and enterprise, ensuring that galleries and cultural spaces became places where talent could meet opportunity.
“I urge you to continue to support our artists. When you support an artist, you are not merely acquiring a work of art, you are investing in talent, culture and the future of our creative economy,” the commissioner said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Engr. Quddus Yusuf, said the five-day exhibition would feature artworks depicting Ogun’s culture and legacies.
He said the participating artists included creatives from across Ogun State, neighbouring states and other parts of the world.
Yusuf emphasised the role of the exhibition in advancing the ministry’s broader agenda of raising the profile of arts and culture through initiatives aimed at nurturing local creative talent and increasing public engagement with cultural heritage.
He highlighted some of the ministry’s initiatives, including the publication of a cultural magazine, OgunRewa, which features stories centred on the culture of the people of the state, as well as the resuscitation of the Artists Night.
Speaking on the initiative, a former Special Adviser to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Busola Ogunyemi, commended artists who had transformed discarded materials into valuable works of art.
She also praised the creativity showcased at the exhibition and said the initiative had the potential to address youth unemployment by promoting entrepreneurship in the arts.
Ogunyemi urged the government to create easier pathways for artists and creative entrepreneurs to develop and expand their businesses.
Also speaking, veteran actor Yomi Fash-Lanso commended the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for its involvement in promoting the arts and appealed for sustained government support to enable such initiatives to grow.
“When they keep doing these things and there’s no support, that may naturally soak the passion,” he said
