Titi echoes Nigeria’s diversity through art trade fair

In the spirit of Nigeria’s upcoming 64th independence celebration, Blu Chess Royal Group organised an Independence Festival Trade Fair showcasing Nigeria’s vibrant diversity through arts, food, and music.

The event, which was held at Daddy’s Garden, Wuse, Abuja, featured a vibrant display of local arts and crafts, traditional cuisines, live music, and dance performances, creating an immersive experience that captured the aura of nationhood.

The Independence Trade Fair, which had its grand opening today, will be held for 4 days leading up to Independence Day on the 1st of October. This event aims to provide a valuable platform for local artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses to exhibit their art-themed products and services, contributing to economic development and fostering community involvement.

On what inspired the trade fair, the convener and Chief Executive Officer of Blu Chess Royal Group, Miss Titi Oyekoya, disclosed that the aim is to market the ingenuity of Nigerian creative space. She emphasised that the exhibition is to celebrate Nigeria’s diversity and tenacity in the face of the current economic complexity.

In her words, “The idea of the trade fair is to celebrate Nigeria’s independence, which is a few days away. It will run from Friday till the independence day. We intend to create a national consciousness of our food, our culture, and our crafts. All the artists, painters, and chefs present here will be celebrated globally because most food that has been sold at this exhibition is cultural food from the South-South, South-West, and South-East.

It also facilitates intercontinental interaction because we also have some foreign guests coming around as well to be part of this exhibition.”

A partner, Blu Chess Royal Group, Arc. Oluyemi Onarinde, also noted that the trade fair is designed to celebrate Nigeria’s roots and to reflect on our heritage.

He stated, “This Fair’s aim is to celebrate the Nigerian roots and heritage. Blu Chess Royal Group is a faith-based group that celebrates Jesus and the Nigerian people. We’re excited to see everyone beaming with excitement as they purchase craft pieces, paintings, and meals that tell our story as indomitable Nigerians.”

Onyekachukwu Iloanya, an excited artist whose paintings were on display, lauded the organisers and described the trade fair as an international patriotic move to paint Nigeria with the colours of resilience.

He said, “I feel so fulfilled to be present in a trade fair this intentional with celebrating the resilience of Nigerians. Many people already coming into the premises to get a feel of my work is so beautiful to experience. I commend the organisers for a brilliant and patriotic initiative like this exhibition.”

Also, one of the attendees, Asanti Kwame, expressed his elation at the food displayed. He described the event as a viable tool for cultural export.

“This is my first time in Nigeria, and I am excited to be present at a trade fair that is full of life and culture. I enjoyed the traditional food and the rich craft pieces that are a viable tool for cultural export,” he said.