The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike Ikwo AE-FUNAI Abakaliki, Professor Sunday Elom has called on students and youths to venture into fine and applied Arts as a way of improving their economy and that of the country.
Professor Elom, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, Professor Denis Ako stated this during an art exhibition which is part of the activities marking the forthcoming 6th convocation ceremony of AE-FUNAI in Ikwo Local Government Area of the State.
Elom said the Department of Fine and Applied Art was created to educate and nurture students on how to use their hands to create wealth for themselves and society at large.
“Fine and Applied Art is as old as man, I hereby encourage students especially those in the department already, to take the course serious as it can give you self employment after graduation,” Elom added.
The Dean, Faculty of Environment Sciences, Professor Godwin Irivweri during the exhibition informed students, youths and all guests that Fine and Applied Arts has made a lot of people successful business owners in the world.
Professor Irivweri added that if their students should do well in this department, the era of youth unemployment would be a thing of the past for them.
“This Department can improve the national and international economy if taken seriously by students, the University and Government as well,” he said.
The Pioneer Head of Department, Fine and Applied Arts, Professor Chris Ebhigbo said the exhibition is consolidated on the young Department of Fine and Applied Arts, which was formally known as Visual arts when it started in AE-FUNAI in 2012.
“I am happy today because I started this department with just 7 students but to the glory of God, the department has over 200 students”
“It is important to note that the department if well nurtured can yield much revenue to the University and the world at large. For example, the University will make a lot of revenue from the graphics, textiles and ceramics department if well utilized to serve as a training ground as well as productions for large sales”
“The University Press will have its source in Graphics and that will help upcoming staff to print and publish their books. Most printing in the university will go to the press thereby making the university rich”
“Fashion and Design is a money-making Industry and the training ground for our students to be self-reliant,” he explained.
An International award winner in arts who used arts as a weapon in combating violence against women and girls like female genital Mutilation FGM, Mr Ogbonnia Ukie said the department creates values to human life.
The theme of the Exhibition is “Media and forms the master Artists Rendezvous.
Nnenna.O
