Nigeria Content Online

The artist, Tam
Fiofori, will be taking Nigerians on a journey back into history with a
two-week solo exhibition to be hosted by Thought Pyramid Art Gallery,
Abuja, and Sun Arts: BEP. The exhibition, titled ‘1979: A peep into
history and culture’, opens at 5pm tomorrow, September 23, and will
feature the artist’s same titled photography collection.

Scheduled to
commemorate the country’s independence, the exhibition will showcase
pictures taken by Fiofori while he toured the country as a journalist
in that year. Featuring photographs of important events and people in
the Nigerian political history, as well as occasions that document the
country’s tribal cultures, the collection, according to the artist,
“highlights landmark events and distinguished people who have
contributed immensely in the areas of political governance and culture
to strengthen the Nigerian nation and sustain the cultural vibrancy
that has made Nigeria a recognisable and respected frontline Black
nation in the world today.”

Produced in a style
that is mostly black and white are photographs of historical events
such as the coronation of the current Oba Erediauwa of Benin, and
pictures of Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Shehu Shagari while
they campaigned in preparation for the 1979 presidential elections.
Also included are snapshots of cultural occasions such as house-warming
celebrations in Ijebu Igbo.

Fiofori stated that
the aim of the exhibition is to connect “the threads of history and
culture that have shaped the national fabric of Nigeria and established
a direction for the way forward towards strengthening Nigeria for
another half-century in the international comity.” Ambassador Olu
Otunla will chair the opening event while Chris Osa Ogiemwonyi, the
minister of state for works, will be the special guest of honour.

The exhibition
holds between 8am and 7pm daily at the Thought Pyramid Gallery, Parakou
Crescent, Wuse II, Abuja from September 23 till October 7.