Lagos State Art Economy Worth Billions Of Naira Says Ajayi
The Chief Strategist of Eledumare Visuals, Mr Segun Ajayi has called on the government and private sector to invest on the Nigerian Art industry as they stand to reap billions of Naira from such investments,despite the fact that there are a lot of infrastructural problems with our environment.Ajayi bared his mind on his planned 2021 exhibition tagged “The Economy Art of Lagos” which is in conjunction with the Lagos State government and some private sector companies,saying its all timed to celebrate Lagos State and its peoples as well as its economy.
According to him “the concept idea of made in Lagos or “The Economy Art of Lagos” is basically based on high lighting monumental places,road networks,peoples,cultural establishments and art that have contributed to make Lagos,Nigeria,Africa and the World …what it is.
“For instance,the Lagos Cathedral have been able to produce legends and peoples that have contributed to the glory of Nigeria,Africa and the World-via personalities like Ajayi Crowther, Alakijas, Odukoyas, Fela’s family ;The Ransome -Kutis etc-all what the have done translates into the economy of Lagos in one way or the other.So,the exhibition is a celebration of Lagos and its people and its culture.Same goes for structures like the 3rd Mainland bridge built during the regime of General Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida.
“The initial plan was to hold this exhibition in 2020 but the facts of Covid-19,Endsars -protest,and what have you made us to delay it.And our sponsors like Lagos State government and other corporate bodies we are speaking with supported the move.Hence our tentative plan now is to hold it in the second quarter 2021.But this January 30,2021 we would be launching our new Gallery in Lagos.”
He called for more corporate support,stating that the private sector community has a lot to gain supporting arts and culture and business because all these are part of the economy.
Ajayi who is both a photographer and a painter among other things,says about his talents”I never went to a formal education institution to learn about these skills and talents.I have been able to harness all these skills together .And i believe i am a head way.Its the grace of God in my life….You can liken it to the man in the Bible that was given five talents and was able to manage the five talents and when the master came back he was given more.
“The argument that multi-talented individuals find it hard to manage them effectively to produce profitable material result is just because some of them lack business minded managers that can help them manage their skills profitably”.
Thus his position is that there are need for talented business minded managers in the Art industry for Nigeria to make a head way in those fields,saying that without able leadership and effective management it would be difficult for Nigerian Art and entertainment to succeed beyond the subsistence levels.
