So,Year 2022 edition of Dr. Abiola Oshodi Creative Art Contest came to an end with remarkable and brilliant display of raw talents by our students in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency. This is indeed another boost for education rejuvenation!
The unique competition which has continually exposed students to act of drawing and painting has been described by all as one of the best all-round education initiatives as it is organize to reawaken the dwindling relevance of Art & Crafts in school curricula across Nigeria.
The preliminary stage started earlier this year with participants drawn from most schools across the two Local Government Area of Owo and Ose in the federal constituency.
The competition is seen by most people especially intellectuals as reinventing the lost glory of professionalism in Arts and Craft ( Drawing and Painting, Fine Arts, Sculpturing and Carving, Panting and Decorations ) which many have chosen as careers in the past with enviable track records of quality delivery and outstanding successes.
Few among the professionals who have been extremely successful in Fine Arts especially Drawing and Painting were invited to help coordinate the competition and to also incorporate the students into their teams for greater exploits in art profession.One of the distinguished and reputable professional artists that have institutionalized Carving and Sculpturing in Fine Arts in the kingdom, Dr Deji Aseniserare, now a lecturer in the the Department of Fine Arts honored Dr Oshodi as he graced the grand finale with his presence. Another ilk in the field,our very own Oluwatosin Kehinde who is known for his mercurial talents in Art Works across the country was on ground to moderate the event.
The organizing committee drawn with great precision and genuineness for the purpose of just examination and sincere rating of the participants includes the following distinguished individual with integrity and character in the constituency :
Coordinator - Gbolahan Aderibigbe
Panel of Judges
1. Mr Tosin Kehinde
2. Mr. Omoowa Julius
(Both staff of RUGIPO)
3. Mr. Abraham
The participants after their brilliant display of their drawing potentials and mastery in drawing and painting of HE,Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu,SAN were rated and rewarded with positions and prizes as follows:
First position:
Aikolola Benjamin (Ireakari comprehensive High School Ose local Government Area)
Second position :
Joseph Precious
Imade College
Owo
Third position:
Ibitayo Precious - (St Catherine's Girls Grammar school Owo)
Fourth position :
Ogunleye Michael (Federal Government College, Ido-Ani, Ose Local Government Area)
Fifth position: Johnson Promise (Community Grammar school, Emure Ile, Owo)
Sixth position:
Mbam Henry- (Ekamarun Anglican Grammar school, Ifon, Ose Local Government Area)
The first position received a cash prize of Seventy Thousand Naira (#70,000) and other attractive prizes while the first runner-up went home with Fifty Thousand Naira (#50,000) with other prizes too. However,the second runner-up went away with thirty thousand naira (#30,000) with other prizes.Fourth, fifth and fixth position attracted twenty thousand naira (#20,000) each.
Other participants in the final contest went away with ten thousand naira (#10,000) each as consolation prizes for their brilliant performance.
The entire students bubbling with joy use the avenue to appreciate Dr. Abiola Oshodi for the opportunity provided them to showcase their talents while describing the Art Competition as a unique one and a golden opportunity of a lifetime.
The teachers present as well while speaking on behalf of their professional colleagues also showered exceptional encomiums on Dr. Abiola Oshodi while praying for him. They eventually conferred on the philanthropist and one of the leading aspirants for the coveted seat in the Green Chamber, the title of Pillar of Education in Owo/Ose Federal Constituency. They used the occasion to urge other able and capable personalities and individuals in the constituency to emulate the good work of Dr. Abiola Oshodi in area of education transformation and youth development and empowerment.
With the success so recorded and the numerous philanthropic gestures of the Canada-based medical expert, technocrat, modern farmer, seasoned politician and fine democrat,it is clear without the crystal ball that if given position of responsibility,he will not disappoint his people and constituents .
It's therefore suffice to say that by his giant strides as seen in the Art Competition , scholarship schemes and bursary award , a generation has been changed for the better. To build a prosperous democracy and a working nation, the conscious and all-round education of the younger generation is fundamental to help build great resolve and create template for technological, innovative and immortal leadership.
No doubt that with this Initiative , Dr Abiola Oshodi will be seen in the image of the late Owelle of Onitsha,the great Zik of Africa and the Pan-African Leader and the Great Awo of the Yoruba Nation.
By: Aliyu Hussein Taye
