Bank auctions works for the needy

By Japhet Alakam

As part of its corporate social responsibility, Sterling Bank Nigeria PLC last Sunday, auctioned  not less than 43 artworks by young talented artists from age 5 to 15 to raise fund for the less privilege in the society. The auction which was done under the supervision of renowned artist and founder of Niger Delta Cultural Centre, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya took place at the bank’s head office in Lagos. The auctioned works were selected from a painting competition organized earlier this year for the children of the bank’s staff, with a theme: “Creating a beautiful world”.

According to the organisers, the money raised from the auction would be donated to a non-governmental organization, Lots Charity Foundation that caters for physiological, social, educational, psychological, medical and emotional needs for vulnerable street children in Dustbin Estate in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Ajegunle, Lagos State.

The Group Marketing Manager of Sterling Bank, Mr. Segun Anako said the essence of the auction is to give life and health and create a beautiful world for the less privilege among us.

The Regional Business Executive of the bank, Mr. Tunde Adeola said in some climes, the children’s artworks would easily have been hung up in a boardroom – forgotten and soon to be discarded, noting that what a disservice this would have been.

“We didn’t want this to happen; hence we decided to transfer these paintings to fans and lovers of art who have the expertise to appreciate the talents expressed in these paintings. The seed of idea behind today’s exhibition and auction was sown. To give some flesh and human touch, we thought to give these stars of the future an early opportunity to make a difference by contributing to the larger society through the proceeds of their talent and skills”.

Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya praised the efforts of Sterling Bank for putting up such a competition for children.

“What they are doing is very good; in other countries, geniuses are identified when they are still young and what they have done is one of the ways of catching the genius young. Once you notice the young ones are putting energy into such development they must be encouraged. By the time they become grown up, they will become masters and people who can be trusted in the art”, he said.

Onobrakpeya urged parents to encourage their wards to draw, to go out and see exhibitions, participate in art competition and enroll them in art workshops because, ‘some of us never had an opportunity like this’. He noted that it would inspire them to take art as a profession.

The children whose paintings were auctioned included Oduwa Osheku, Eshu Osheku, Oyin Osgbola, Afolabi Lifting,, Inioluwa Adebayo, Seyi Adeniyi, Princess Okebugwu, Chizuruoke Amukan, Egwuenu Quincy, Tamisin Balogun, Cajawua Ikechukwu, Ester Aina, Imade Noel, Onyebuchi Francis, abdurahman Ibrahim and Afolabi Laughter.

Others were Oyebuchi Florence, Johnson Rachel, Olalekan Adekambi, Adeite Oluwadamilila, Oluwafolahan Toki-Pillips, Oluwafolajimi Toki-Pillips, Azuru Whitney, Khairia Muhammed,Princess Nworah, David Edoho, Deborah Edoho, Smuel Edoho, Ibukunoluwa Fashogbon, Chidiebere Offiah,Chinonso Mark, Ugochi Nnachi, Olasubomi Olaleru, Kehinde Olatunji, Taiwo Olatunji, Chiamaka Onyemaechi, Unoma Aghadinumo, Sheu Arowowon, Samuel Agboola, Elizabeth Agboola, Olalade Alabi, Oladipupo Aino and Chimamanda Okechukwu-Melifonwu