By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Mr Ebeten Ivara, has urged children to use social media apps for positive benefits, to attain a beautiful future for themselves.
Ivara gave the advice at the ‘Children in Art Exhibition’ organised by the NGA to mark the annual Children’s Day celebration in Lagos, as it held across other outstations.
The event was organised in keeping to the United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural organisation Mandate that every May 27 should be set aside to celebrate children.
The Director-General, who was represented by Mrs Obasogie Philomena, Deputy-Director, Acting Curator, NGA, Lagos, said that the 2023 theme was chosen in view of the positive and negative impacts of social media used across the globe.
“The positive impact of social media on the Nigerian Child has benefited them by giving more room to learn in terms of research, U-lesson, online classes, online examinations and interviews.
“This has given students the chance to express themselves creatively, while the negative impact is a huge distraction, if not carefully handled,” he said.
On her part, Philomena who doubled as the head of NGA, Lagos office, advised children to develop a mindset of visiting social media for academic enhancements and creativity, rather than for the negative aspects.
According to her, social media is a computer based technology that facilitate sharing of ideas, information via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, YouTube, WhatsApp and Zoom but children must be careful with the trend.
“They should use these trendy apps with wisdom, visit sites that will add value to their life, take them to higher ground in their chosen career and life endeavour, knowing that it can make or mar them,” she said.
The event featured art works exhibition by pupils from primary and secondary schools across the state.
Earlier, Mr Ndubuisi Henry, Deputy-Director, Head of Marketing, National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, who was Chairman of the event, commended NGA and described the arts by the children as impressive.
Henry said that the event was educative, entertaining and inspiring, and should be held quarterly to create a platform for talented, upcoming children to showcase their potential.
“This year’s caption is very apt; having gone round and seen exhibitions by primary and secondary schools children reflecting the theme through their art work, creativity and imaginative power is very amazing.”
The event recorded no fewer than 250 participants from 20 schools, who took part in various activities such as cultural dance, drama, debate, motivational songs, orchestra and Choreography.