Enugu Govt. Pledges Support To National Gallery Of Arts

Enugu State Government has pledged its continued support to the National Gallery of Arts, (NGA) to enhance Nigeria’s culture and heritage.

The Deputy Governor, Cecilia Ezeilo, made the promise while receiving members of the NGA at Government House in Enugu.

Ezeilo, who received the members on behalf of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, called on the management to assume a central role in actualising the vision of the government.

“Government vision is to make Nigeria a tourist paradise and culture goldmine, by erecting a befitting and functional gallery space.

“A gallery with edifice for the collection, enhancement, preservation and presentation of visual art works and the hosting of art shows in all seasons,” she said.

She said it has become necessary because existence of a gallery space and edifice, would enable NGA to maximise its potentials.

Ezeilo noted that such an essential infrastructure can house peculiar art works that both Nigerians and foreign tourists can admire and appreciate.

“For NGA to contribute its quota to wealth creation, employment generation and economic transformation in Nigeria, it needs to be focused and adequately resourced.

“NGA should be adequately resourced not only through official channels, but also by leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) windows in the Nigerian corporate business sector, on fund mobilisation for its programmes and activities,” she said.

Ezeilo implored the body to establish channels and platforms for improving its contribution to the general well-being of visual artists in Nigeria.

She observed that the core mandate of the body was on visual arts, whose products were to be appreciated by sight, such as painting sculpture, drawing photography and others.

According to her, the work of NGA is designed to be a testament to the power of art and its connection to national heritage.