Chief\u00a0\u00a0 Nike\u00a0\u00a0 Davies-Okundaye, Nigeria\u2019s\u00a0\u00a0 Textile\u00a0\u00a0 Queen\u00a0\u00a0 and internationally renowned artist, is, for the first time in History, sharing all her business and crafts industry insights, in a Biography authored by Kofo Adeleke, with a foreword written by former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr Robin Renee Sanders. The memoir details Mama Nike\u2019s arduous and historic journey on rising to fame, from the walls of Ogidi-Ijumu, a small village in western Nigeria with no formal education to conquering the globe, as written by Kofo Adeleke.<\/p>\n
Launched officially by Chief Diana Chen, the Chairman of CIG Motors,\u00a0\u201cBata Mi A Dun Ko ko Ka\u201d<\/em> was historically unveiled in hardcover on Saturday, December 19, at the CIG Motors Headquarters on Ligali Ayorinde, Victoria Island, Lagos; in a cozy setting, witnessed by the creme de la creme of the art Industry including Essayist and Novelist \u2013 Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, The CEO of the Nigerian Stock exchange- Oscar Onyema, amongst other Royal Dignitaries.<\/p>\n Education is important in life. The memoir\u2019s Title, in the form of a Yor\u00f9b\u00e1 proverb, echoes a major part of Nike\u2019s work, rooted in powerful elements of Yor\u00f9b\u00e1 culture and mythology. In 233 pages, the reader learns how art shaped her life and influenced her art in diverse ways. From joining a travelling theatre group to becoming an adept student, drawing from her family\u2019s many artisanal specializations, Nike Davies, aka\u00a0Nike Twins Seven Seven<\/em>\u00a0is a woman who has lived lifetimes filled with stories all narrated in this memoir.<\/p>\n Professor\u00a0\u00a0 Wole\u00a0\u00a0 Soyinka-Nobel\u00a0\u00a0 Laureate,\u00a0\u00a0 a\u00a0\u00a0 friend\u00a0\u00a0 of\u00a0\u00a0 Mama\u00a0\u00a0 Nike\u00a0\u00a0 also commended the artist, he said: \u201cToday is all about my aburo, it\u2019s always a delight to see her, the embodiment of \u201cGbogbo nishe\u201d \u2013 a multifaceted individual.<\/p>\n Nike is one of the most exceptional and unique artists I\u2019ve ever met, not because she uses herself as her own model of expression, but because she\u2019s a walking piece of art that spreads joy all around, it\u2019s an honour to celebrate with you today aburo. It\u2019s time for the world to get to know you and celebrate you\u201d<\/p>\n Speaking on the artist, Award-winning sculptor, painter and printmaker \u2013 Professor Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya remarked; \u201cThe best setting to discover a genius is in the informal educational setting rather than the academy.<\/p>\n In his opening remarks, the Vice Chairman of the CIG Group, Dr Linus Idahosa spoke about the historic support the company has had for the creative industry; in his words \u201cTrue Art is not just what stirs our sense of sight, attunes our soul or causes our spirit to rejoice.. for us it is the most powerful tool for societal change and Mama Nike has proven to be that symbol.<\/p>\n Mama Nike has trained a lot of people from the grass roots. On the other hand she also looks after artists, her colleagues and professors, giving them a means to continue. I would\u00a0 like to thank Kofo Adeleke\u00a0 for writing this book which reconstitutes a great document for Nigerian art.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMama Nike\u201d, as she is also fondly called, is a lady of many firsts; a true protofeminist. The living legend turned 69 on May 23 and is celebrated for her Art, philanthropy and the strength of character. The protofeminist weathered many personal storms, from a young age and emerged to the top. Her work has exported Nigerian culture worldwide into prolific collections including- The Smithsonian, The Gallery of African Art, The British Library, in Londondale; amongst other high-profile homes including former US Vice President, Walter Mondale. She currently lectures at several universities in the United States, UK, and Canada- even without a University degree.<\/p>\n The third honorary speaker at the event, Jess Castellote observed: \u201cI am delighted to be here, the art world is a complex system with several players, I just want to mention one person that has helped consistently for the past decades.\u00a0 She\u00a0 has\u00a0 been\u00a0 very\u00a0 successful\u00a0 in\u00a0 that\u00a0 and\u00a0 I\u00a0 think\u00a0 we\u00a0 need\u00a0 to This call to reconnect with our roots was further emphasized by the Chief Launcher, \u2013 business mogul Chief Diana Chen. Being a lover of arts and culture, she\u00a0 expressed\u00a0 her\u00a0 affection\u00a0 for\u00a0 the\u00a0 blooming\u00a0 industries\u00a0 through\u00a0 crucial collaborations such as this.<\/p>\n Speaking at the event, she said: \u201cWe all know Nike Davies-Ogunlaye. We recognize her for her unending talents, her alluring gallery and her impeccable style. We know about her, but hardly do we know her story. She has groomed thousands of talents throughout her life, but I believe that through her story, she\u2019ll inspire millions more.\u201d<\/p>\n The CEO of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Oscar Onyema also honored the artist, he explained that Nike Art Gallery was a first stop when he first visited Nigeria in 2011. Mama Nike had spent two hours introducing him to Nigerian art:<\/p>\n \u201c\u2026 It gives me great honor to be here at this launch. As you know, finance is a great catalyst of growth in any sector. This convergence is a required ingredient for economic growth. I must congratulate Chief Mrs Dr. Nike Ekunda\u2013 who I fondly call Mama Nike and Kofo Adeleke, for this amazing book. Without doubt, Mama Nike,\u00a0 your shoes not only made an impression now, but likewise your name and your sectional works in exposing our nation\u2019s rich culture and heritage,\u201d Mr Onyema remarked.<\/p>\n Chief Diana also sent a strong message to the Governments, private sectors and citizens of Nigeria, on Celebrating our Heroes and Legends whilst alive. In the wake of this new movement, a pace has been set, by celebrating the life and biography of a daughter of the soil who has done the Nation proud Nationally and Internationally. Chief Diana continually emphasized the importance of Giving the closing remarks, The Consular General of Switzerland in Lagos \u2013 Thomas Schneider said: \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be here amongst the greatest artists on the planet, \u2014 Prof. Soyinka, Prof. Bruce, and many other artists present. I already call her Mama, because this is the feeling I get when I visit her gallery. I have visited many galleries around the world, but her gallery is a temple. When you leave Nike Art gallery it is like you are coming out of a dream.<\/p>\n I took my staff on a company outing to Nike Art Gallery. They are usually not familiar with art, and I told them \u2018In the beginning, art is like eating and sleeping. It is part of the basic need of people. It is part of that which defines us. It is a mirror of our society. It is important,\u2019 and I think they understand after the two hours we spent at the Nike Art Gallery. Also, congratulations to all your achievements. I thank you for inviting us. Thank you also Chief Diana Chen. \u201c<\/p>\n Famous for her arts, crafts, textile design, gallery and unmistakable style, Nike has a\u00a0career<\/a>\u00a0spanning five decades all compressed into over 233 pages of beautifully composed text. Yesterday\u2019s Book launch event ended with the reading of a few chapters by the author, embellished with unmistakable style, as always.<\/p>\n It has been a roller-coaster journey for the woman also known as\u00a0Nike Twins Seven Seven<\/em>. who has gone on to educate generations of artists, through a network of art centres across Nigeria at no cost. The memoir;\u00a0\u201cBata Mi A Dun Ko ko Ka\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 is available now, for N14,000 at\u00a0BookCraft<\/a>, its Publisher\u2019s site, and at Mama Nike\u2019s eponymous Art Gallery.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\nacknowledge that, and support her. It\u2019s not only that she has trained people, she works in the gallery and has helped many others. I\u2019m really glad to be here. I\u2019ll say thank you Nike.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nchronicling the stories about our Legends and its impact on the younger generations of Nigerians who need Inspiration and Guidance for their lives and careers. She urged every Nigerian to place a copy of the book on their coffee tables; starting with herself. The Chief Diana Chen Foundation launched One Thousand books; with Five Hundred copies to be donated to Five Top Nigerian
\nUniversities.<\/p>\n