By CHIOMA OBINNA
The auction and donations of African artworks organised by the Arthouse Contemporary and in collaboration with Standard Chartered Bank last week in Lagos, raised a total of  $62,000.

With over 28 million beneficiaries of its Seeing is Believing (SiB) project across 17 countries, the Private Bank team of Standard Chartered, Nigeria says blindness is a concrete example of the Bank’s long-term commitment to its markets as well as addressing an issue that impacts health and economic productivity in the Bank’s communities.

Launched in 2003 to celebrate  the 150th anniversary, SiB is Standard Chartered’s global initiative to tackle avoidable blindness in communities  especially among children, and to raise awareness of blindness and visual impairment.

Executive Director, Private Banking, and Mr. Richard Howarth, said: “The personal service delivered by our African Private Bankers is with our clients in mind. Our Private Bankers are experienced and passionate relationship managers with extensive knowledge and understanding to appreciate the clients’ needs and aspirations.

He added that with the growing worldwide interest in African art, the bank was pleased to showcase contemporary African art to increase awareness for our global initiative of tackling avoidable blindness.”

Managing Director, Arthouse Contemporary, Mrs. Kevita Chellaram noted that the sponsorship was a good example of how a large international company can make use of its relationships to leverage its own donations while positively impacting the society. “For Standard Chartered, it is clear that community investment is not a separate, ‘nice to have’ activity, but an integral part of their strategy and part of their brand promise to be Here for good.”