By Damilola Charles

Nigerian artist Opeoluwa Ogunyakin has been elected President of the Organisation for the Development of African Handicrafts (ODEVAA-Africa) for a five-year term.

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Syndoph Endoni, said the development presented an opportunity to strengthen Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy, promote African unity and preserve the continent’s cultural heritage.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Embassy of Nigeria in Ouagadougou and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Endoni spoke during an engagement with ODEVAA-Africa representatives on the sidelines of the International Arts and Crafts Fair of Ouagadougou.

He urged the organisation’s leadership to protect African arts, traditions and cultural identity while adapting to changing social influences.

The ambassador also called for stronger cooperation among African institutions involved in arts, culture and artisanal development.

He highlighted the economic importance of handicrafts and creative enterprises, noting their contributions to employment and improved livelihoods.

The delegation visited the Nigerian mission partly to celebrate Ogunyakin’s election.

He succeeds Ivorian Ali Cisse, founder and organiser of SIAB, an arts and crafts exhibition in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire.

Ogunyakin has more than 30 years’ experience in African arts and crafts.

He is a member of the National Council for Arts and Culture and participated in the 2007 African Festival of Arts and Culture in Abuja.

He previously served as President of ODEVAA Nigeria and is Chief Executive Officer of Artminds and Décor.

ODEVAA-Africa promotes African arts and heritage and supports employment opportunities for youths, women and persons living with disabilities.

The organisation operates in more than 28 African countries through national presidents and membership networks.

Representatives from Ghana, The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Togo, Cameroon, Guinea and Côte d’Ivoire attended the meeting.

The Nigerian mission said Ogunyakin’s emergence could strengthen Nigeria’s engagement in artisanal development, education, science and technology across Africa.

It added that closer engagement with ODEVAA-Africa would require institutional partnerships, capacity building and practical support for African-led initiatives to advance continental integration and economic cooperation. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade