Prince Yemisi
Shyllon and Pan-Atlantic
University (PAU) Ajah, Lagos, have signed an agreement for the donation of Museum of Nigerian Art.
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| Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon; Mr. Pascal G. Dozie, Pro-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University and Prof. Juan M. Elegido, Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University -- |
At signing ceremony between Shyllom and PAU, the donor stated that the
proposed museum will be Nigeria's first ever private museum. Shyllon, According to agreement, the museum facility will be financed by the
donor.
Speaking at a
ceremony to formalise the donation, Prince Yemisi Shyllon explained that the collection
includes traditional art, modern paintings and scuptures and photographs of
Nigeria’s fast disappearing cultural festivals. The modern paintings include works
by such notable artists as Aina Onabolu, Ben Enwonwu, Yussuf Grillo, El
Anatsui, Simon Okeke, Uche Okeke, Okaybulu, Akinola Lashekan and Bruce
Onabrakpeya, among many others. The contemporary paintings include works by
Disoye Tantua, Segun Aiyesan, Kelani Abass etc. Sculptural pieces produced by
Adeola Balogun, Ben Enwonwu, Oladapo Afolayan, Isiaka Osunde, Okpu Eze etc. The
photographs of Nigeria’s cultural festivals are predominantly produced by Ariyo
Oguntimehin. The value of the 1000 art works and 200 photographs granted to the
University by Prince Shyllon is estimated at one billion, six hundred and seven
million, eight hundred and eighty five thousand Naira (₦1,607,885,000:00).
In addition, he is donating a further ₦100m towards the
construction of the museum where these artworks and photographs will be on
display as well as an annual contribution for fifteen years for the maintenance
of the museum, amounting to a total donation of ₦2.2b both in cash
and the value of the artworks. This donation is the first of its kind to a
Nigerian University and the first donation towards establishing a privately
funded public museum in Nigeria. This is also probably the first of its kind in
Africa.
In his remarks,
the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University(PAU) expressed the University’s
deep gratitude for the donation. He added that the “donation of the museum is
significant for many reasons: first it provides an effective way of preserving Prince
Shyllon’s collection for posterity while making it available to the public.
Secondly it will greatly enhance the research and educational resource of the
University as well as the general public”. He further commented that PAU has a
strong history of involvement with Nigerian art, citing the earlier development
of a virtual museum of Modern Nigerian Art by the University. Work on the
design of the Museum has already started.
For his part, the
Pro-Chancellor of PAU, Mr. Pascal G. Dozie commended highly the generosity of
Prince & Chief (Mrs.) Shyllon in making the donations. He remarked
especially on the intention of the gift directed at both posterity and the
entire Nigerian public.
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