Excitement, as Fine Art and Acts lights up Lagos

The Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, came alive recently, as Stanbic IBTC hosted the second edition of the bank’s Fine Arts And Acts show. A combination of visual art and performing art, the initiative, which is part of the bank’s commitment to the creative industry, is gradually becoming a major event in the country’s events calendar.

The art exposition, which featured a wide range of art works from abstract art to photography, had works by contemporary artists such as Olumide Oresegun, D Okhai Ojeikere, Kainebi Osahenye and Muraina Oyelami. Others such as Jumoke Sanwo, Angela Isiuwe, Gerald Chukwuma, Dipo Doherty and Olufemi Oyewole also had their works on display, while collections of two corporate titans, Fola Adeola and Dotun Sulaiman were also showcased.

Themed Inspired by Nigeria, the evening was spiced with comedy and music, drawing an array of performers from Nigeria and abroad. 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 African beat.

Reiterating the bank’s commitment to partnering with other stakeholders to build a thriving arts community in Nigeria inured with entrepreneurial depth to ensure sustainable development, 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, she noted, is to establish a critical mass of creative enterprises across Nigeria. As an African institution with continental experience spanning over 153 years, David-Borha informed that 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.”

She said a similar strategy underscores the group’s multifaceted business model that is designed to meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

It would be recalled that last year’s edition featured paintings by renowned artists, Prof Bruce Onabrakpeya and Victor Ehikhamenoras well as the art collections of Fola Adeola and Adedotun Sulaiman. Celebrated comedians, including Nigeria’s Basketmouth, South Africa-based NdumisoLindi and Patrick Idringi, a.k.aSalvado, 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.

Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC is a full service financial services group with a clear focus on three main business pillars – Corporate and Investment Banking, Personal and Business Banking and Wealth Management. Stanbic IBTC belongs to the Standard Bank Group, the largest African financial institution by assets and market capitalisation. It is rooted in Africa with strategic representation in 20 countries on the African continent.