LAGOS – The President Nigerian Art Group,Dr Patrick Okpah on Friday pleaded with Nigerians to appreciate and promote art works.
Mr okpah, who was at the Nigeria Oil And Gas Art And Exhibition lecture (NOGARTEL) 2014, said Nigerian artists should be encouraged through the purchase of their works.
He said the exhibition was to familiarise individuals in the oil and gas industry with the art works.
He said most of the art works exhibited were done by students from tertiary institutions around the country.
“These students should be encouraged and assisted financially through the purchase of their works to enable them to complete their studies.
“The Nigerian Art Group is focused to the cause of promoting art work and making artistic talents developed in the various institutions,” Okpah said.
He urged the government to invest in art works to boost the economy.
“The government could give out loans to artists to build workshops, buy necessary materials so as to encourage upcoming ones,” Okpah said.
Meanwhile, Mr Tonye Cole,the Managing Director of Sahara Group, said Nigerians needed to research into some other viable business opportunities and look away from the sales of petroleum products.
“Those in the business of sales of PMS are too much though it is striving.
“Some other businesses associated with oil and gas which are equally lucrative are: mine welders, gauge readers, pipeline layers and lots more.
“Those interested in the oil and gas business need to do a lot of research to be enlightened and hold unto new business areas,” said Cole.
