Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alfaruk Gallery and Studios, Alfa-Faruk Umar,
The founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alfaruk Gallery and Studios, Alfa-Faruk Umar, has urged Nigerian youths to leverage their creative talents to strive for excellence and enhance the country’s image positively.
Umar gave the advice on Sunday in Abuja during his debut solo exhibition of luxury Islamic calligraphy artworks dedicated to glorifying the Almighty.
He emphasized the importance of national unity and encouraged the youth to share the vision of a better Nigeria built on excellence—a narrative recently promoted by President Bola Tinubu.
The CEO added that it is everyone’s responsibility to strive to make the nation great among the community of nations.
“If we don’t start now, when do we start? What legacy do we intend to leave for our children?” he asked.
“I have found my place in the creative and art sectors, and I am committed to using my abilities to make a positive impact and strive for excellence by creating products and projects that can uplift society both immediately and in the long term.
“It is time to show the world what Nigerians are made of! This is a call to promote national unity. Let’s use our talents to elevate the country and achieve the nation we desire”, he said.
Umar noted that some of his artworks convey deep and profound lessons that inspire gratitude for the blessings we enjoy as a human race.
On his part, the Director-General of the National Gallery of Arts, Mr. Ahmed Sodangi, encouraged emerging artists to let their creativity flourish, adding that the government is ready to support and enhance their work.
He assured of government’s readiness to harness the transformative power of creativity in the country, as evidenced by the creation of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
“Creating this ministry is a deliberate effort by the current administration to maximize the potential of the creative sector. This shows the administration’s understanding of the immense value and impact of the creative industry.
“As the government, we have a reach that individuals may not, and this synergy can only improve and add value to the industry. The art space has grown tremendously. Many artists are constantly exhibiting new works, and the number of artworks leaving the country is staggering. We aim to step in as a government to add value to this process, provided it is certified and recognized by this agency,” he said.
Also, the Director of Counseling, Arts, and Culture at the International Centre for Islamic Culture and Education (ICICE), Sheikh Abdulfatai Adeyemi, praised Umar for his unique contributions to the art world.
He noted that Umar has carved out a unique genre for himself, using materials that go beyond the ordinary.
“I can see the magnitude of the artist’s creativity. It is something to behold. He is full of original ideas expressed in unique forms. He has developed a niche and a unique style. This is what we would like to encourage among young creatives.
“We have calligraphy in many forms, including English, Arabic, Chinese, and Aljiamin calligraphy. I encourage the youth to explore calligraphy and other creative outlets to promote this country’s image,” Adeyemi said.
