Stories by McPhilips Nwachukwu.

The one day workshop organised  for art writers and editors penultimate week in Abuja under the auspices of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, NICO was designed to brainstorm on how the art journalist like its counterparts in other beats can contribute in deepening the democratic process.

A cross section of participants at the workshop

The quarterly programme in its 4th edition has become a critical platform through which culture journalists, industry leaders and culture stakeholders from across all the parastatals in the Ministry of Culture come together to engage not only their trade, but also, mirror out their needs to the ruling establishment.

It is interesting to state here that in all the editions that have held so far, that NICO has successfully engaged the participation of Consistent journalists like Ben Tomoloju and Toyin Akinosho to facilitate the event in the presence of Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ’s Chairman, Mallam Mohamade Garuba or his representatives.

Through this meeting, issues that affect the practice of journalism like poor welfare packages, ill treatment, non payment of salaries, lack of respect for art pages and preference of advertisement spaces for art pages by Editors and lack of advertorial support for the sustenance of art pages by the public among other problems are raised and discussed with the view to enlightening both government and proprietors of media establishments on the plights of culture journalists.

So it was penultimate week, when the Barclays Ayokoroma’s led NICO brought together, again art writers and editors to Abuja to discuss how their trade can deepen and contribute to the democratic process ; especially in this season of elections.

Coming on the heels of the country’s general election this week end, one critical question that everybody asked was : wetin concern vulture with barber? The implication of this question is that, art, the stand point from which these journalists make their inroad into journalism has no relationship or role in the political and democratic process.

When you come to look at it, one may begin to reason with the doubting Thomases in this line of argument: One may want to ask oneself; what has a piece of sculpture, a painting on the wall, a musical performance, a dramatic presentation or poetic recitation got to do with the flamboyant and corrupt ridden Nigerian styled democratic culture?

But Ben Tomoloju, the resource person for the workshop was hand to prove that art has got a lot to do with democracy and politics. And he did not disappoint the audience comprising seasoned culture administrator and playwright, Chief Simeon Ambakederemo, Minister of Culture and Tourism represented by Director of Culture, George Uffort,, Azueke Okolo, former Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture, Akusu, a Director at the National Gallery of Art and Alhaji Adamu Baba Yinusa, FCT Chairman of Traditional Rulers, when time riped to prove that art journalism goes beyond writing in elevated and sublime language.

Being the pioneer art editor of Nigeria’s flagship Newspaper, The Guardian and one time Deputy Editor of the paper, Tomoloju, who lives today as one of the country’s greatest archivers of culture and literary journalism and history spoke from experience when he began by saying that “the art journalist is closest to the masses” and therefore knows how to employ his art in engaging them.

That simple word ” masses” immediately draws one’s attention to the shared relationship between democracy and artists: after all, democracy in its simplest term is defined as a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Perhaps it is on this note that the NICO lecturer charged that, “ it is suggested that the arts writer should be pragmatic. He should even go beyond drawing attention to the unwholesome

situation. He should be actively engaged in the preferment and actualisation of remedial measures.

“ one of such steps is to make it possible for the principles enshrined in the constitution to be translated into the Nigerian languages.”

Ben Tomoloju, also did not mince words in reminding culture journalists about the commitment and avowed objective of their calling.”The Nigerian arts writer is challenged by this cultural interpretation of democracy to explore ways of using his calling to empower people. Over the years, he has extended the boundaries of journalism career beyond the reportage and criticism of works of arts. He has delved quiet seriously into the formulation and implementation of cultural policies as well as the administration and production of culture.” He said.

Complimenting all that Tomoloju said, the second resource person for the workshop, Rtd Maj- Gen Mathias Efeovobokhan not only commended the resilience of Nigerian journalists, whom, he said, do great services to the nation in spite of the challenging conditions under which he works.

Speaking on his paper titled; The Journalists as the Conscience of the Democratic Process, the retired Army Chief argued that ;“ in Nigeria, journalists have become the first and last option for the people. If you want to be heard as quickly as possible take your case to the press. If you desire justice, go to the press. If you want the Police, the Military, the Judiciary and even the Civil Service to listen to you quickly, take your case to the police.”