A New Horizon for Origami Society of Nigeria

Yinka Olatunbosun

With the just-concluded maiden fellowship, Origami Society of Nigeria had advanced from therapeutic to pedagogic initiatives. The organisation marked the end of her maiden fellowship edition recently as part of its effort towards promoting the art of Origami.

With the theme, ‘Origami for Sustainable Development: The Power of People and Paper,’ the 8-week commenced with 50 applicants.

During his keynote address, Tony O’Hare the Chairperson, British Origami Society stressed the importance of Origami and how it could impact on health, education, science, art, and engineering sectors. He also pledged support for the Nigerian fellowship with BOS having been around for over 50 years. The lead and convener of the fellowship Oluwatobi Sodimu on his part charged the cohorts of the task ahead which would test basic life skills of consistency, patience, attention to minute details and mindfulness.

With 10 faculty members drawn from all over the world of Origami, fellows were educated in mindfulness, mental health, aesthetics, arts, peaceful co-existence, and Origami in healthcare. Some of the facilities include Dr. Lizzie Burns (Co-Founder Origami Pulse Oxford U.K), Dr. Sarah Ness (Founder Art in Health Institute U.S.A), Paolo Bascetta (Renowned Origami Designer and Mathematician), Oyindamola Fakeye (Founder, Soundmind Africa), Oluwatobi Sodimu (Lead, Origami Society Nigeria), Seda Altay (Teacher and Ph.D. student Turkey), Toshiko Kobayashi (Founder, Expressive Origami Therapy New York), Cheryl Gibbs (Origami Teacher S.A), Jooj Abreau (Guinness book of world record Holder and Artist S.A).

To mark the maiden fellowship, the society embarked on a physical outreach to a renowned Geriatrics Group in Mushin Lagos, Regina Mundi Home of the elderly. There, seniors were introduced to the Japanese Art of Origami as an exercise to treat dementia, improve their mood, aid social interaction and renew connection with their loved ones.

In her remarks, Wendy Zeichner the President OrigamiUSA shared some ways in which OrigamiUSA has adapted and harnessed the art over the years and how Origami Society Nigeria can explore some of these innovations.

Dr. A.A. Sulaiman, Ejeh Blessing, Imoh Usoro, and Ugonna Nwakunor were recognised with an Award of Excellence, based on their remarkable commitment and leadership throughout the fellowship.

The journey began back in 2020 at the peak of the lockdown when a passionate Nigerian Origamist kickstarted what was called “The Origami Therapy Challenge”. His goal at the time was to bring hope to Nigerians at a time when people’s mental health was most under threat.

Sodimu was a recipient of the Covid HERO Award alongside the Commissioner for Health in Lagos state, Prof. Akin Abayomi and other outstanding Nigerians at the first National Health and Art Conferences initiated by Arts in Medicine Projects.