Arts Vision Africa, an initiative of Gbenga Aguda, a physically-challenged artist, seeks to empower artists with disabilities
By Sylvester Asoya
Gbenga Aguda is physically challenged. But beneath his disability, is ability. Since 1993 when he rounded off his Higher National Diploma, HND, in painting at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Aguda has done a lot. Aside participating in virtually all the Harmattan Art Workshops organised annually in Agbarha-Otor, Delta State, by the famous artist, Bruce Onobrakeya, Aguda has participated in over a dozen group and solo exhibitions. He has also successfully concluded a few commissioned works. These include those of former Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Adeyemi Adeyemo Operinde I and Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, a social critic.
For a physically challenged artist, this is remarkable. But Aguda loves to engage his mind and his hands. That is perhaps, why he came to the conclusion that he must help himself. “In fact, I took it upon myself to make out something from my disability. And I believe that God has deposited in each of us, a talent and if we search ourselves well, we will see that gift. But many people cannot discover this gift, maybe because they cannot search hard enough or because they lack one form of assistance or the other,” he said.
Now, the artist is prepared to provide this assistance. He told TheNEWS that lack of assistance actually drives most physically challenged people to the street and adopt begging as the only way out. But for him, disability is not enough excuse to beg. “That is why I believe strongly that these beggars can contribute meaningfully to their societies,” he explained.To bring about this meaningful contribution therefore, Aguda founded Arts Vision Africa, AVA, to help physically challenged people who are creative and other less privileged citizens to live their dreams. There is also AVA studios, where these budding artists will be trained in art and craft, music, dance, choreography, drama and some aspects of technical theatre. As a physically challenged person, the artist said he appreciates the fact that most people with disabilities lack the needed educational and job opportunities necessary for a good life. This is even made worse by society’s attitude to such people and says he is “involved because governments at the various levels are yet to provide the needed atmosphere that would encourage creativity among this group of people.”
Aside discovering and training talented young people with disabilities, AVA is also working towards promoting and projecting a positive image of Africa to the world. To this end, the organisation has concluded plans to fully package African arts and culture for the world, thereby providing opportunity for Nigerians in the diaspora to appreciate their cultural heritage. The organisation, as part of its aims and objectives, shall also periodically bring government and the people together, especially during exhibitions, seminars, conference, workshops and traditional music festivals.
Aguda is, however, unhappy because apart from government negligence, the average physically challenged person is not treated well by other members of the society. “I am not saying that people should sympathise with us or treat us specially because of our disability. That is not what I am saying. Rather, we should be treated equally, just like other members of the society,” he pleaded.
Arts Vision Africa may have a very small beginning, but Aguda believes that its vision is big enough to radically change a nation and its people. This is the organisation’s mission, as it formally extends its hand of fellowship to the less fortunate members of the society through Aguda who won the 1992 Academy Press Annual Award for Excellence in Visual Art.
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