Yemisi Izuora
Stanbic IBTC has offered to partner with other stakeholders toward building a thriving arts community in Nigeria inured with entrepreneurial depth to ensure sustainable development.
Speaking at the 2nd edition of the Stanbic IBTC Fine Arts and The Acts event in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, said part of the objective in creating the forum was to foster more collaborations between players in the arts and business communities, leading to the deepening of the entrepreneurship spirit in the sector.
The ultimate outcome is to establish a critical mass of creative enterprises across Nigeria, she added.
As an African institution with continental experience spanning over 153 years, David-Borha said the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, is a natural part of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, which inevitably underlines its growing commitment to providing a solid financial foundation for budding and established creative artists.
“We are quite delighted to put together this year’s event. We undoubtedly have the talent to create spectacle as artistry and creativity come from within. We are also encouraged by the enthusiasm and huge turnout of participants which clearly indicates that our drive to inspire creativity and innovation remains on course,” David-Borha stated.
She said a similar strategy underscores the group’s multifaceted business model that is designed to meet the needs of a diverse clientele.
The event, themed ‘Inspired by Nigeria’, featured an arts exhibition, comedy and music, drawing an array of performers from Nigeria and abroad. The art exposition featured a wide range of art works from abstract art to photography.
Contemporary artistes such as Olumide Oresegun, D Okhai Ojeikere, Kainebi Osahenye and Muraina Oyelami showcased their works, as well as Jumoke Sanwo, Angela Isiuwe, Gerald Chukwuma, Dipo Doherty and Olufemi Oyewole. The art collections of two corporate, Fola Adeola and Dotun Sulaiman were also on display.
Nigeria’s Basketmouth, Ik Osakioduwa (IK) and KennyBlaq, complemented by South Africa’s Mpho Popp, thrilled the audience to very thoughtful comedy while the pair of Ifueko Ogbomo and Michael Meme stirred the night with their vocal renditions.
South African all-girl band, The Muses, similarly dazzled with their rich repertoire of contemporary and African music.
Last year’s edition featured paintings by renowned artists, Prof Bruce Onabrakpeya and Victor Ehikhamenor as well as the art collections of Fola Adeola and Adedotun Sulaiman. Celebrated comedians, including Nigeria’s Basketmouth, South Africa-based Ndumiso Lindi and Patrick Idringi, a.k.a Salvado, Uganda’s foremost humour merchant, joined by a rich parade of artistes, including fast-rising music act, The GirlZ Rule Band, and popular instrumentalists The String Quartet, enlivened the gala night with their astounding performances.