NAN-ELS-5
Illustrators
By Maureen Okon
Abuja, March 9, 2018 (NAN) Mr. Marcelino Cabanas, the Ambassador of Spain to Nigeria, has lauded the efforts of authors, illustrators and publishers as well as the Ministry of Education in the production of children’s books in Nigeria.
Cabanas made the commendation at a forum to honour Alexzander Amulu, the winner of the 2017 1st Baobab Competition on Children’s Illustration, organised by the Embassy of Spain in Nigeria.
The event, held at the residence of the Spanish Ambassador in Abuja on Friday, had the theme; `Morning talk with the Illustrator and Artist’.
He described the ministry of education, authors, illustrators and publishers as the key actors in the progress made in the production of children’s books in Nigeria.
“These people play a major role in the inclusion of books in education policies.
“Amulu won the first prize at the 1stBaobab Competition on Children’s Books Illustration organised by the Spanish Embassy here in Abuja in December 2017.
” This has created the opportunity for him to participate and showcase some of his works at Ilustrísima 2017, an important drawing and illustration fair that takes place every year in Madrid, ” he said.
The First Secretary of the Embassy, Mr Juan Paya, said the event was the first cultural activity held at the embassy for the year.
Paya said the embassy had lined up other activities for the year to impact Nigeria’s cultural sector.
“Today’s event is one out of the various activities lined up in the future in order to enhance the cultural activity of the Spanish embassy in Nigeria over four main ideas,’’ he said.
He identified the ideas to include sector diversification, adding, “we want to go beyond our traditional art sectors and have a broad concept of culture.’’
Paya said the mission would seek collaboration with local partners to contribute to the development of local cultural industries.
He said the embassy would also seek geographical diversification of its activities.
Paya explained, “because of our logistical limitations we have been hindered to go out of Abuja and have a cultural agenda with a true national scope.
“We intend to intensify our efforts to overcome these past limitations. ”
He said following these lines, the embassy planned to work in photography and participate in Lagos Photo Festival and launch the first fashion contest for young Nigerian designers.
Paya said the mission would work with the music, gastronomy and cinema sectors as well as and the academia to contribute to Nigeria’s cultural industry. (NAN)
ETIM/JCE
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Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie