His Excellency, Dr.Yemi Osinbajo officially declared the African Culture and Design festival open, alongside members of the IDAN Board of Trustees, EkuahAbudu, TitiOgufere and Ifeyinwa Ighodalo on Thursday November 9, 2017 at the Balmoral Convention Hall, Federal Palace Hotel Victoria Island Lagos.
Themed ‘This is Africa’ , the Festival showcased an impeccable variety of Traditional African Art, Modern and Contemporary Art, Design Installations, Lighting Design, Video Installations and other forms of Art and Design. The Festival narrowed the creative spotlight on Nigeria and her emerging value for both historical and modern Art and design.
Representing the royal chieftains was the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe and a host of other high chiefs such as Chief Nike Okundaye, Founder of the Nike Art Gallery and Chief Mrs.Funmilayo Ajibola
Notable Personalities and Celebrities where also present. They Include Veteran artist and master craftsman Demas Nwoko, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Joke Silva, Jumoke Adenowo, Mo Abudu, Nkiru Anumudu and many more.
While on a tour of the exhibition the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Honourable Dr.Okechukwu Enelamah applauded the efforts of the Interior Designers association of Nigeria. According to him ‘’this is a remarkable effort from IDAN. We congratulate Titi Ogufere on her appointment as the President-Elect International Federation of Interior Architects. Hosting The African Culture and Design Festival and the World Design Congress has gone ahead to show the world that Nigeria is not only opened for business but opened for art.’’
The International Federation of Interior Architects (IFI) led by its President Sebastiano Raneri and the President-elect Steve Leung had an impressive representation of over a 100 delegates from across the globe.
The Vice President and other distinguished guests were taken on a tour of the various pavilions; The Traditional African Art Pavilion curated byRonkeAshaye, The Modern and Contemporary African Art Pavilion curated by Bisi Silva, The Design Pavilion curated by TitiOgufere and the Video Installation curated by AzuNwagbogu.
While commending the efforts of IDAN and the organisers of the event, Dr.YemiOsinbajo cited the need for continued efforts in giving Nigerian Art and Design its befitting place in the global scene.
Veteran Queen of the Silver screen Joke Silva was elated to be a part of the festival. “One of the things that really attracted me to the festival was the online activities for the showcase and then I got to know that my sister Bisi Silva happened to be one of the curators for the event. It was at that point that I knew this was something I would not want to miss’’ she said.
In her closing remarks, President of IDAN Titi Ogufere thanked the sponsors, partners and guests at the event. She encouraged Nigerians to come and appreciate the quality and value of Africa’s most prominent artists and designers.
The African Culture and Design Festival and the World Design Congress was made possible by the valued partnership of Lagos state government and sponsorship’s from MTN, Sterling Bank, Dangote Cement, Eko Hotels and Suites, Diamond Bank, MidWestern, Notore, Eroton, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, First Bank, British Airways, High Impact Planet, Sky Bank, Stanbic IBTC, Bank of Industry, Balmoral Convention Centre, Bogobiri House, The WheatBaker Lagos, RaddissonBlu Hotels and Resorts, Boff and Company, Cantagali, Seplat and Custodian.
Media Partners include The Guardian, Business Day, This Day, EbonylifeTv, Ventures Africa, Livin Spaces, City FM, Insecta Studios, Amore, ASIRI Magazine, BAP Productions, WISH Africa and Essential Media.
ABOUT IDAN
The Interior Design Association of Nigeria is a group of designers, industry representatives, committed to interior design. Established to address the major problems that exist in the interior design industry in Nigeria. With thousands of growing members, IDAN is the single largest association of industry stakeholders in West Africa.
ABOUT IFI
The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) is the global voice and authority for professional Interior Architects/Designers. Founded in 1963 as a non-governmental entity to expand the international network of professional Interior Architects/Designers, IFI represents about a quarter million designers, educators and industry stakeholders in the international design community
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