By JAPHET ALAKAM

It was another excursion into the story of desert encroachment and its drastic effects of climate change as arts collectors, enthusiasts, Heads of corporate organizations and others gathered at the new DIDI Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos for a special event tagged Whispers from the Sahara, an auction of 15 selected shots of over 5,000 photographs captured by Kelechi Amadi-Obi during the Third Expedition across the Sahara by Dr. Newton Jibunoh, who led a team of dessert warriors.

The photographs which had been on a month long exhibition at Didi Museum according to Jibunoh are historical and will help to tell the story of the lost land, the disappearing grazing fields, the farmlands, the depleting underground water resources and the effect on food production, the air we breathe and the migration problems resulting from desertification.

The event which was anchored by Mr Soni Irabor  had in attendance dignitaries such as renowned arts patron, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and award winning writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie as the special guests of honour.

Reflecting on the exploits of Dr Newton Jibunoh, Nigeria’s most respected environmentalist for his over 40 years experience and fight against desert encroachment, the various speakers paid glowing tribute to him for all that he has done especially for raising the awareness all over the world.

*The Tents are Folded, one of the works auctioned

Sensitising the public

In his opening remarks, Jibunoh who presented a vivid account of Sahara desert stated that the auction was aimed at sensitizing the public to the clear and present danger that the forest that occupied about 50 percent of the land space in Africa south of the Sahara in the 1960s has been reduced to less than five percent today.

“It is not just an exhibition of artworks but it is a work of art that is been used to highlight things that will happen to us if we don’t check the encroachment.” He added.  He also pointed out that the proceeds of the auction will go into the numerous projects they have in Delta state to check environmental degradation in the state.

After that, the auctioneer, Kola Oshibute took over and the business of the day kicked of with the sale of  the 15 photographs on display, and the works were sold between the price range of N300, 000. 00 up, and the highest sold work went for N750, 000. 00.

One special feature of the auction was that the works were the original copy as captured by Kelechi Amadi- Obi and in the course of the auction, Dr Jibunoh  took out time and presented a brief explanation about each of the work and the reasons for the captions.

For example, the work The Tents are Folded, which shows only two threes according to him  was captured on their first night in the desert, when they woke up in the night and found out that it was only two trees that were left in what used to be a forest and the rest taken over by the desert, another work The Majestic Nothingness taken on the second night, when they saw only one tree and when he went close to the tree, he noticed that the tree was almost dead and no one was sure how long it will last. Other works include: The last man standing, The Custodians of the Sand Dunes, The Spirit Dance, Dunes of Damnation etc.

The beautiful works bring to limelight the professional competency and creative ingenuity of the the vintage photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi.

A close look at the pictures shows the ravaging sweep of the Sahara as historical evidence of the lost land, the disappearing grazing fields, the depleting underground water resources and the general woes of desertification. And the question that quickly comes to the mind is what is the way out? And that is what Jibunoh brings to the fore for all to ponder on.

In her comments, Chimamanda Adichie who thanked Jibunoh for supporting her since her teenage years said “I am delighted to be here to see the beautiful works of art that are so hunting.”

On her part, Udo Maryanna Okonjo, the Chief Executive Officer of Fyne Country, major sponsor of the event who felt honoured to be part of what the project stands for pointed out that her company was involved because what the projects stands for is what Jibunoh is fighting for. She then urged every one to rise up and support the fight against desert encroachment by planting trees.

Other notable Nigerian’s present include Engr.Tony Onyeama, a versatile arts enthusiast, Mr J.K Randle, Mrs Udo Maryanne Okonjo, Tamuno Kiri, Mrs Oyelude,  and Adaure Achumba.