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Upon
ascending the throne of my ancestors, it became
clear
to me, that as part of the
efforts to move Onitsha forward, we would need to set very high standards
for ourselves in all spheres of life. I therefore decided that in order to
give fruition to this idea, we should amongst others begin to identify
examples of excellence within Onitsha with a view to celebrating same. I
believe that such celebrations will serve as a catalyst for our people to
aim at achieving even higher standards.
Fortunately, Onitsha indigenes have distinguished themselves and brought us
great pride in just about every respectable profession, which are too
numerous to name exhaustively.
Suffice
it to say, that Onitsha sons and daughters have also made enviable marks
nationally and internationally which are worth celebrating.
Visual
arts is one discipline in which Onitsha indigenes have featured prominently.
Onitsha produced the great master – Ben Enwonwu. Two Onitsha indigenes,
Oseloka Osadebe and Okechukwu Odita were members of the “Zaria Rebels”, a
group that revolutionized Nigerian visual Arts.
It is in
this context, that I see the efforts of the twelve artists who presently
constitute Olokoto - Songs of Chima, as a further manifestation of the
excellence that abounds in Onitsha, hence this celebration. Like their
forebears, the works of these twelve artists have in various ways been
influenced by our rich cultural heritage.
I pray
that members of Olokoto will continue to strive for excellence and will in
not too distant a time, achieve the lofty heights, which those before them
had attained. I also hope that their activities will serve as an inspiration
to all budding artists in Onitsha and indeed elsewhere in Nigeria. I wish
the members of Olokoto a successful premiere exhibition.
Agbogidi
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