By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu
The Federal College of Education (FCE)(Technical), Akoka, has described Mr Kunle Filani, a former deputy provost of the Institution, as a great artist and scholar.
Dr Wahab Azeez, Provost, FCT (Technical), said this during a Virtual Art Exhibition dedicated to the 65th birthday and retirement of Filani, held at the College on Thursday in Lagos.
Azeez said, “Dr Filani whom we are celebrating today can be best described as a great artist, teacher of all teachers and an administrator of note.
“FCE Technical, Akoka is not just hosting this event, but partnering with lots of other organisers who are also identifying with Dr. Filani to give him his well-deserved honour.
At the event, Mr Babasehinde Ademuleya of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife delivered a lecture titled ‘Kunle Filani: The man, his heart and his Arts.
Ademuleya said that the person of Filani is known to possess two opposing characteristics; restlessness and patience.
He said that Filani’s ability to marry the two elements had been of great advantage to his art and views.
According to him, both elements have been so perfected in him that they have become very essential bases for almost everything he does.
“Consciously or unconsciously, the two elements discussed above as well as the gígún and níwòn attributes form the psychological base for Filani’s commitment to the arts,” he said.
“One may wonder how a restless person could as well be patient. Filani’s restlessness does not connote what the Yoruba would call ai ni’farabale or ai’nisuuru – lack of patience but rather that of ‘inquisitiveness’.
“His restlessness is borne out of his thirst for knowledge and the eagerness in disseminating knowledge acquired’.
“While his restlessness rules his mind fuelling his inquisitiveness and imaginations, he allows patience to rule his soft heart which informed his habit of picking and developing an idea to a surreal level,” he added.
Ademuleya added that those were the concepts that informed Filani’s philosophy of life and could be felt in his art, his administrative style and even in his writings.
The lecturer said that Filani’s contribution to the art profession in general, particularly its education, theory, criticism and practice could not be over-emphasised.
He said that Filani had played a prominent role in its development.
He disclosed that Filani is the Founding president of Culture and Creative art Foundation (CCAF), a non- governmental and non-profit making organisation which seeks to sensitise the world on the richness and diversity of African culture.
According to him, the group, which organises conferences, lectures, seminars workshops, exhibitions and other activities on creative art and culture also celebrates well-deserving artists and art scholars.
“He is also a fellow of Pan-African Circle of Artists (PACA) a group concerned with the task of engineering an indigenous voice for the propagation of African art.
“Filani has equally played prominent roles in the running of the Society of Nigerian Artists and other art related societies from time to time,” he added.
Expressing delight at the event, Filani, also a former provost of FCE, Abeokuta, said he was overwhelmed by the presence and outpour of love from individuals, groups, friends and alumni in spite of no invitation.
While applauding Azeez and the management of FCE (Technical), Akoka, he said, “Words cannot be enough to express my joy today, the affection of mankind towards me on my attainment of 65th birthday is wonderful, thank you all for this respected honour.
Also speaking, a former Dean of Arts, YABATECH, Mr. Kunle Adeyemi lauded the celebrant for his commitment to study and professionalism.
Adeyemi, however, decried the poor enrolment of students in the Arts and called for a deliberate effort to redress the situation.
He said that the country stands to benefit immensely in the study and promotion of the nation’s arts, cultural values and tourism.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Filani was also conferred with a full honorary professionalism award by African American University (AAU), Republic of Benin on his 65th birthday anniversary.
NAN also reports that Mr Ben Ezeohagwu, the Vice Chancellor of AAU, Mrs Victoria Filani, mother of the celebrant, management of FCE, Abeokuta, OAU alumni, and other dignitaries graced the occasion which doubled as Art Exhibition of FCE (Technical).
The event featured 11-year-old Oluwasemilore Olayemi, a young saxophonist, who thrilled the celebrant and guests.
Morenikeji Joshua, a seven-year-old Primary 2 budding artist who made a pencil image art work of Filani also presented it to him as a birthday gift. (NAN)(www.nanews.ng)