Alleviating Poverty through Arts, Culture

Having recognised arts and culture as a viable tool for poverty alleviation, the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation recently held a four-day training on different skill acquisitions at the ancient city of Benin in Edo State, Chiemelie Ezeobi and Uzoma Mba report

For four days, the ancient city of Benin in Edo State was agog as the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) held a four-day training on different skill acquisitions at Oredo Federal Constituency.

The goal was for young Nigerians to have skills in order to decrease the rate of unemployment and essentially, poverty.

According to the Director-General, CBAAC, Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, the skill acquisition workshop was targeted at enhancing self-employment and productivity amongst women and unemployed youths in the society.

Also speaking, Hon.
Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, member representing Oredo Federal Constituency, who partnered CBAAC as a 2021 zonal intervention programme, said until the youths are empowered through a capacity building programme of this nature, all effort to attain economic growth and development would amount to a wild goose chase.

Bead Making
On the first day, the target was bead making. Held at Canvey Event Centre, Benin City, the programme had over 350 persons in attendance.

At the workshop on Skills Acquisition and Empowerment for Unemployed Youths and Women in Bead Making in Oredo Federal Constituency, the Director-General of CBAAC, Hon. Oluwabunmi Ayobami Amao (FITP) stated that “the African culture is abundant in resources and the significant element of any vibrant society is embedded in its ability to reinvent different aspects of these
cultural resources to conform to contemporary standards.

“By so doing, the history and heritage of such cultures are not just being conserved but also recreated as new forms of expressions. In other words, the trainings on beads making are all means through which we recreate and celebrate our historical pasts, preserve our cultural heritage and still deploy them as tools for poverty eradication and societal renewals”.

Also speaking, Hon. Ogbeide-Ihama said “the training and skills acquisition happens to be one of the greatest tools that can give financial independence. Whatever aspect of training being exposed to, today should not be taken for granted but it’s expected to help beneficiaries to become self reliant in the society.”

The participants were exposed to the several practical teachings and certificates were also awarded to participants with the starter pack kit containing the major basic equipments such as monofilaments, pliers, cutters, different shapes and sizes of beads, etc. that would be needed to start a professional business in bead making.

Training on Traditional Artistry

The next day, the training was on D
“Deploying Arts and Culture as Tools for Poverty Eradication through Training on Art of Basket/Hair Weaving, Coral Bead Making and Tie and Dye.

Fronted as a tool for economic self-reliance, the participants were trained by seasoned experts as they were taken through the step by step procedures involved in the art of hair weaving, coral bead making, tie & dye and basketry.

At the end, the participants promised to make good use of the opportunity they got from the training, just as they received certificates of participation.

Celebrating the Rich Diversity of Traditional Music, Dance, Drama

On Wednesday, a cultural showcase titled “Celebrating the Rich Diversity of Black and African Traditional Music, Dance and Drama through the Science of Costumes and Makeup, Drama Presentations and Choreography” was held.

Over the years, both African Music and Dance have witnessed tremendous transformation. One of the prominent features of the transformation was the classical manner of infusing traditional elements in contemporary music.

At the event, there was the display of African musical instruments, overlaid with contemporary rhythms and lyrics, as well as lots of dancing and miming.

The make-up session also saw participants going home with make-up kits courtesy the DG.

Promoting Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpture and Pottery

On the final day, the theme was “Deploying Arts and Culture as Tools for Poverty Eradication among Black and African Peoples Through the Promotion of Visual Arts Painting, Sculpture and Pottery”.

The theme was quite apt given that
Benin, in Edo State has arguably been described as the cradle of African Arts.

Speaking, CBAAC DG said “the culture, religion and practice of a particular group are captured in the sculptures and artworks which meets with their cultural demands and dictates.

“Even when art works do not reflect or document the culture of the people, the art works themselves stand as evergreen memory of the culture which presides over the archeological evidence to determine the existence of such culture.

” For instance, Benin arts are easily recognisable at anywhere in the world, whether there’s a write up to explain where the artwork comes from or not and they are evidences of the ways and lifestyle of the Benin people.”

The training had more than 300 participants in attendance and they were exposed to the art of painting, sculpture, and pottery.

At the end of the four-day training, all participants commended the DG and her team for the full- packed training at the Oredo Federal Constituency.

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The skill acquisition workshop was targeted at enhancing self-employment and productivity amongst women and unemployed youths in the society

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