As part of an effort to create a sustainable platform for younger people to demonstrate their creativity in the field of arts, Hardukeh Arts & Craft Gallery has organized a Creative Hand Art Prize (CHAP) Competition for secondary school students.
The arts competition was held at IACD, American Corner, Magazine Road, Ibadan on Friday, September 12th, 2025, in collaboration with Waste Museum and American Corner.
Speaking at the epoch making event, which commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the leading arts and craft gallery outfit, the organizer, Mrs Aduke Omoliki, described the event as a movement to gain confidence and discover opportunities in young talents with the aim of nurturing them to be a generation of critical thinkers and problem solvers.
“The vision is to build a sustainable platform where young people can freely express their creativity, gain confidence in their talents, and discover career opportunities in the arts. It is a vision to celebrate the boundless creativity within the next generation using art as a tool to inspire, empower and shape tomorrow.”
Mrs. Omoliki, while appealing to the government to make policies and support systems that will integrate creative arts into mainstream education, disclosed that the competition will reflect positively on their academics.
“Government can provide funding, infrastructure and recognition for platforms like this, if we invest in our young creatives today, we are indirectly contributing to national development.
“The benefits for the participants extend beyond art. Creative projects like this sharpen problem-solving skills, improve concentration and enhance confidence. All of which reflect positively in academics. Many of these students will go back to their classrooms more motivated, more expressive and better equipped to excel in other subjects.”
Acknowledging the support from the partner organizations, Mrs Aduke Omoliki emphasized on the importance of collaboration.
”One of the key lessons I learned is the importance of collaboration – no one can do this alone. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors and partners who believed in this vision and made it possible. Their support goes beyond finance – it is an investment in the future of our children and our society. I would like to appeal to prospective sponsors to come on board for future editions because what we are doing here is shaping future leaders and innovators.”
In his address, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Oyo State, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, charged parents and guardians to give children opportunities to express their hidden talents.
Dr. Olatunbosun, who was represented at the event by Mr. Akinola Olatunde, who is a Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Ministry, also urged them to stop forcing courses or professions on their children, emphasizing that it always has negative implications.
He assured the organizer of the state government support in the future edition of the programme, noting that the initiative is in line with Governor Seyi Makinde’s agenda to prepare the youth ahead of the future.
”The initiative is a laudable one, the state government is passionate about the youth on how it will bring them onboard in line with their talents so that they will not be running after white collar jobs.”
The Commissioner urged the participants to take advantage of the programme to make their life a memorable one, saying that it is an avenue for them to display their ability and talents to the world.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the event, Mr. Tunde Odunlade, reiterated the importance of the government to be more committed to programmes that are making youths to be gainfully engaged.
“They are not on the street selling drugs, what they are doing is promises future for the, it says they can become independent and they can become dependable citizens that will carry the glory of our nation to stardom, so, if the government now wants to see it as the purpose of their existence, protection of lives and properties, lifting the country to a point where people refer to it as a good country, then it has to embrace art, because it is the foundation in which any meaningful developments rest upon.”
Mr, Odunlade, who is the Chairman, Tunde Odunlade Arts and Gallery Collection, urged the participants to be consistent in their arts practice and develop a positive attitude towards their chosen career, noting that that is the only way they can be important personalities in their field.
Director, American Corner, Miss Karamat Ajala and Prince Adeyemi Adeyinka, also implored the participants to maintain the confidence instilled in them. They emphasized that each of the participants has his own unique style that differentiate him from others.
They urged the parents and guardians to encourage them not to lose focus and greater than this .
Cash, gift items, certificates of participation and training scholarships worth thousands of naira were given to the best participants after their art works were judged based on international standards.
Among the judges were Director, Alliance Franscise, Ibadan, Mrs. Olaide lumer-Moyet and Mrs. Oluwakemi Ademola-Aremu, Executive Director, CSWII, Ibadan.
