PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

US Mission Promotes Peace in Niger Delta Through The Arts

Date: March 28, 2008
Venue: Warri, Delta State

Ambassador Robin Sanders (c) speaking during the presentation | Full size

Ambassador Robin Sanders presented the Bruce Onobrakpeya - US Ambassador Peace Prize to two art students during a March 28, 2008 celebration at the Bruce Onobrakpeya’s Niger Delta Cultural Arts Center, in Warri, Delta State.  The US Mission through the Public Affairs Section in Lagos provided a $6,000 grant to the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation.  This grant award was developed in late 2007 to promote peace through art and education by recognizing outstanding student achievements in the visual arts at two Niger Delta universities.  The two winners were selected and received stipends to enable them to further their education.

Students already enrolled in art programs at two tertiary institutions located in the region - Niger Delta University in Bayelsa and Delta State University in Abraka  - took part in a juried competition in the arts, and approximately 65 entries in paintings and mixed media techniques were reviewed.

Ambassador Sanders toured the student art exhibit after to the award ceremony.  In presenting the awards, Ambassador Sanders noted the broader significance of the event. "Citizens of Nigeria and the US value democracy and diversity.  For both countries these are core values to build a prosperous and just society. Therefore, youth development, education, economic growth, and peace are some of our Mission’s key goals in our partnership with Nigeria.  I am glad to see we are realizing these goals here today through the Bruce Onobrakpeya–US Ambassador Art Peace Prize.  The people of the United States of America believe in peace and security.  We hope that this initiative will have a multiplier effect in this region and contribute towards the development of this region."

Mr. Onobrakpeya is one of Nigeria’s leading artists, collected in many museums and galleries around the world, and hails originally from Warri.  He maintains strong ties to the region and is deeply respected by residents in the Niger Delta. In addition, his commitment to the region includes conducting an annual art workshop, where Nigerian and international artists gather to exchange ideas.