National Gallery Pledges Support For Graphic Designers
The Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the Graphic Designers Association in advancing the profession through structural development, funding opportunities and international exchange programmes.
He stated this during the Association’s inaugural Conference Exhibition held at the Department of Industrial Design, Federal University of Lafia.
The maiden Conference Exhibition of the Association of Graphic Designers, with the theme, “Graphic Design Education and Practice in the 21st Century: Issues and Insights,” seeks to promote a more innovative, ethical and sustainable future for graphic design in Nigeria.
During the programme, the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, emphasised the agency’s readiness to support the association through collaboration, exhibitions and other initiatives that will strengthen the profession and create opportunities for practitioners.
He urged members to move beyond the conference and build a movement that documents cultural stories, trains the next generation and enables artists to earn a decent living from their talents. He challenged Nigerian designers to produce works inspired by the country’s cultural heritage, interrogate societal issues and promote an authentic African identity through their creativity.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, Professor Mohammad Isa Kida, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Professor Elemona Adofu, commended the Association for organising the inaugural gathering and encouraged it to sustain the momentum by initiating more programmes and activities that would foster knowledge sharing, innovation, collaboration and professional growth among its members.
The Professor of Forensic Graphics with the Federal University of Lafia and Convener of the conference, Professor Usman Ismaila Dakys, appreciated the Nasarawa State Government, the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Federal University of Lafia for their support towards the success of the conference, which was aimed at enlightening graphic designers on emerging trends, professional practice and the opportunities available within the creative industry.
The event also featured the presentation of awards of recognition to distinguished dignitaries, the inauguration of a graphic studio and an exhibition of artworks by the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Ahmed Bashir Sodangi.
