Culture/Tourism
Nike Tourists Centre: A World Class Arts Gallary
After going through the many works of visual arts carefully and beautifully displayed within the premises of the new Nike Art Gallery, only one word can come to the mind “magnificent.”
Located within a four-storey building and dedicated to Nigeria Arts and culture, the gallery contains over 168 works of visual art, which tell the history of the nation’s peoples including contemporary issues which are very important in boosting not only tourism but also the educational sector.
Mrs Nike Davis Okundaye who operates the Nike centre for Arts and Culture, trains Nigerians in various forms of arts painting, sculpture, adire-making, etc.
With the four centres located in Lagos, Oshogbo, Osun State, Abuja and Ogidi-Ijumu in Kogi State, Nike has trained over 4,000 Nigerians free of charge in the making and designing of different Nigerian textile clothings, embroidery and weaving.
Culture and Tourism learnt that many higher institutions in Lagos now come on excursion with their students studying Fine and Applied Arts, to any of the centres of the Nike centre for Arts and Culture for detailed tutorials in embroidery and weaving.
The journey so far, have been characterized with a lot of challenges bothering on funding and time consumption which according to the operator of the centre have prevented freshers from venturing into the business.
She explained that the above reasons have also prevented or checked quackery in the business, thereby, leaving it solely for those who can admire and cherish the work of nature.
Being a frontliner in arts and gallery, Nike is a well-known professional artist who has distinguished herself on the job.
Culture and Tourism, further gathered that she began her career at the tender age of six at Ogidi-Ijumu close to Kabba in present-day Kogi State.
According to our source in Kogi State, she acquired the skill from her grandmother, who raised her after the death of her mother.
The source quoted her as saying that “She owes everything to her grandmother who taught her the art of embroidery, weaving and the rest, because she was the great adire maker in their village”.
Although, Nike can beat her and say that she has received no support from government, the niche she has carved for herself through using arts and grafts as a means of empowerment, and in tracking social challenges such as prostitution, poverty, gender issues among others has attracted the attention of governments across the globe.
As an ambassador of goodwill, the first exhibition of her works as The Tide was informed, was in 1974 in the 50 states of the United States of America (USA).
That project as The Tide on Sunday further learnt, was sponsored by the United States Arts Service (USAS), where she delivered lectures in schools.
In 1985, she was sponsored by the United Nations (UN) to represent African Women in the World Women conference in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nike’s 30-minute address at the conference drew much attention to her and was a source of pride to other Nigerian delegates.
Not too long ago, the Italian government after preserving her website, invited her to solve the problem of prostitution in the country.
Through her workshops and seminars as Culture and Tourism was informed, many prostitutes in the country have quitted the sex-trade and settled for weaving and embroidery they learnt from her workshops.
For this singular reason, she was awarded one of the best and highest award, by Italian government. Apart from her Sonia Merson’s Washington documentary on how to make adire, embroidery and African arts that featured Nike, students in the United States of America studying African arts must read one of her books “Women With the Artistic Hands” by kim Verse which show-cased her works.
The art lover’s philanthropy knows no bounds.
For instance, at the four centres apart, Nike Gallery situated at Plot 2, Elegushi Road, Ikate round about, Lekki; Lagos is open to other artists to exhibit their works free.
“I don’t charge them for making use of the gallery, and I don’t interfere in their deals with their foreign customers. Unfortunately, they (the very young ones) even ask for oil and canvass in addition to the free usage of the gallery”. Our source quoted her as said.
She however, have appealed with governments, oil companies and corporate bodies to come and assist these young artists to exhibit their works.
Furthermore, The Tide on Sunday learnt that she has welcomed with both hands the arts festival by the Lagos State government billed for next month, saying that it is an improvement and a step forward in the exhibition of the country’s rich arts and cultural heritage.
Our source, earlier, has hinted that the over 168 works of different visual artists in the four-storey gallery are not for sale, but the preserved for educating people in African arts and culture.
Wife of the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mrs Ijeoma Emeka, has visited Onne Police Divisional Headquarters.
The visit of the Police Commissioner’s wife last week was geared towards familiarising herself with the police officers’ wives and attending to their needs.
The CP’s wife’s entourage was received on that day by the Onne Divisional Police Officer.
Ijeoma, in her remarks, said her mission was to familiarise herself and synergies with wives of police officers under her as regards their welfare
She emphasised the cleanliness of the barracks and working relationship to achieve the desired objective
Earlier, the Onne Divisional Police Officer, CSP Ugochukwu Ijeoma expressed gratitude to the CP’s wife for finding time to visit the Division.
CSP Ijeoma described her visit as a welcome development, saying the lectures delivered by the CP’s wife were memorable.
He said the inspection of the barracks was done in a novel manner and said the visit would improve the welfare of the women.
Ijeoma while speaking with newsmen said she has taken into account the state of the women under her as well as bettering their lives.
She said some palliatives were distributed by her., describing it as a rare privilege to host the wife of the Commissioner of Police
The Onne Divisional Police Officer urged residents of the area to be law-abiding and give the police relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of criminals.
He said the fight against crime must be a collective responsibility as the police are ever ready to cooperate with everyone to reduce crime.
Mr Echeng Eworo, Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), has urged the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to shun bribery in the discharge of their duties.
Eworo, in charge of Zone nine, Umuahia, gave the charge yesterday during his one-day working visit to Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki.
He said that the measure would ensure good service delivery to the people and also bring about free crime society for the citizens.
“You should keep on doing the good work of ensuring a free crime society for the citizens.
“You must shun all sorts of bribery, as the law will not allow anyone found wanting to go unpunished.
“Do not shy away from your responsibilities. Always stand for the right thing for effective protection of the people,” he said.
The AIG described the police as the leading agency in the protection of lives and property, urging the personnel to embrace professionalism on the job.
“The police is all about the people. Always ensure that you protect them, be objective and do what is right. Remember that all the units in the command were set up for a reason in crime fighting processes,” the AIG said.
Earlier, Mrs Augustina Ogbodo, the Ebonyi Commissioner of Police, thanked the AIG for the visit, adding that the personnel in the state had been dedicated to their duties.
Ogbodo, who gave a brief breakdown of her achievements since her assumption of office as 26th Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi, said the personnel had nabbed suspected fraudulent employment syndicates in the state.
Other suspects arrested include suspected kidnappers, cultists, robbers as well as recovery of arms of various kinds.
She commended the Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and the AIG on their supports to the officers and men in the command and promised to do more work at ensuring peaceful environment for the people.
Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), have eliminated scores of Boko Haram terrorists and rescued abducted victims in recent encounters in the Lake Chad Basin region.
The Chief of Military Public Information Office for MNJTF, Lt.-Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in N’Djamena, Chad.
Adegoke said the troops of MNJTF Sector 4 in Niger, while on patrol along Kara–Diffa Road on Jan. 9, 2023, intercepted four persons suspected to be Boko Haram/ISWAP logisticians conveying about 1,000 litres of fuel.
He said the fuel was cleverly concealed in plastic bags inside a Toyota Highlander Jeep and was being transported from Maine Soroa to the Lake Chad Islands, possibly to suspected terrorists.
He added that the sum of N650,000 was also recovered hidden in the vehicle, saying that suspects and exhibits were in custody of MNJTF Sector 4 for further investigations.
Adegoke said the troops of Sector 3 (Nigeria), had in another incident on January 11, 2023, repelled an attempted infiltration by the Boko Haram/ISWAP criminals due to superior firepower.
He said that two terrorists were killed at the end of the encounter and one Rocket Propelled Grenade, seven bombs, two 60mm mortar bombs, 36 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, seven mortar chargers and two wooden canoes were recovered.
According to him, the canoes were promptly destroyed.
“Similarly, on Sunday, unspecified number of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists also attempted to infiltrate Monguno in MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) in the early hours of the morning but met the gallant and alert troops.
“Troops engaged the criminals in a fire fight forcing them to withdraw in disarray.
“The unrelenting troops pursued and engaged the criminals along their withdrawal routes neutralising three criminals while many fled with gunshot wounds.
“The troops also recovered one AK 47 rifle and 2 magazines after the encounter.
“Regrettably, a soldier paid the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in this encounter.
“Five young men suspected to have been abducted were rescued by the troops while five brand new boxer motorcycles were also captured from the terrorists during the encounter.
“Efforts are being made to ascertain the origin of the motorcycles and how they were smuggled into the Lake Chad Islands while the rescued young men are being profiled in the Sector Headquarters before further processing,” he said.
MNJTF spokesman further said that a total of 70 terrorists surrendered to troops of Sector 4 MNJTF (Niger) and troops of Sector 1 (Cameroon).
He said the surrendered terrorists would be treated in line with standard procedures for such surrenders which would include interrogation and profiling by the relevant authorities.
He added that the Force Commander (FC), Maj.-Gen. Abdul-Khalifah Ibrahim, had enjoined the troops to continue to maintain resilience and offensive posture until the criminals surrendered totally or are defeated completely.
According to him, the force commander reaffirmed the fact that the terrorists have been severely degraded and there is need to finally finish them off.
“He reminded the Force of the obligation they have to observe international humanitarian laws and to be professional at all times.
“The FC praised the courage and determination of the troops of the MNJTF and their commanders and paid tribute to the fallen hero and passed his deep condolences to the soldier’s family.
“He called on the people of Lake Chad basin region to continue to support the MNJTF and other security forces with useful information to help bring this conflict to an end.