Art impresario Emmanuel Eni “Blackman in European Kitchen” Plans Investment in Nigeria
By Gbenga Shaba
Ask me a man that loves his root and ready to identify with anything that promotes his culture and I will tell you about Emmanuel Eni also known as ‘Blackman in European Kitchen’.
He was so mindful and passionate of his root that he was nicknamed the ‘Blackman in European Kitchen’. The famous Nigerian-German Art star and impresario as well as ballerz culture ambassador, is planning a mother of all arts night cultural extraveganza for Nigerians especially for the people of Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja and Lagos.
Eni plans to open a double composition of his gallery and and night club razzmatazz for all the ballerz. He has been so busy the last months that the foreign press kept buzzing with his various shows and his plans to go invest in his motherland.
Eni is also working on the repatriation of all his works of 33 years in Europe back to Nigeria. A massive collection of about 800 Sculptures, hundreds of paintings, hundreds of thousands of drawings on paper, larger than life-size Sculptures, installations and objects
The multiple award winner during a chart with Omonaijablog has these to say concerning his latest moves. Excerpts.
Why do you want to go into hospitality and clubbing business?
You dont explain why you do things except that the things have been in you all the time.
Literarily I’ve always been in the Night Clubbing bussines for a very long time. I have a club which I ran for 5 years in Berlin called Mr Enimatic club.
All my fans and people who follow me must remember and know this club. My djs were playing deep house, dancehall and all the newest of pop culture. It was a large club that had 2 dance floors, where 2 Djs could play simultaneously from two different Dj pults.
The extraveganza there was the 9meter long bar and stage for live performances. It was in famous Berlin left Alternative quarters at Herrmann Street. After that I opened another club in the Eastern part of Germany which was called “Black Butlers gallery club” its great mark was made in good dance music, Arts and Live performance. Later I opend my 3rd Night club “High5 Club” in Bavaria State of Germany. In-between it, the “Smallest gallery Night club” also in Bavaria Germany.
Which locations are you looking at in sighting this business and why the choice of these locations?
We are running feasability at the moment and also started placing the formations for Abuja FCT after which Lagos will follow as Location.
Why the choice of these locations?
Though both Lagos and Abuja are the most trendy and up-beat spots in Nigeria for hospitality and show bussiness, both are still millions of miles far from saturation. For a Nation’s fun and recreation, there can never be enough Clubs and Spots. Just as Drips are never enough in fashion and style. So, we start from Abuja, then Lagos and other cities will now follow
What motivates you to want to do this.?
“Na Gbedu wey dey body”, as I have been doing this all the time. Aside being a business, it also creates fun and the much needed employment. I’m a dance and music man, with all the latest and best music ready at my finger tips. The clubbing experience I want to bring to Nigerians is that funk that grounds and keeps you like permanently happy and satisfied.
What were some of the modalities that you have put in place for the commencement of these projects?
We have progressed well. I would have loved to talk more on how far and when they will be ready, but for operational securities, every stage will be revealed when near finished and also the opening dates. We are looking at the second part and at the end of the year.
What were some of the projects you executed in recent times?
In recent times, it was art shows and events back to back while working and planning some monumental Art Scopes that will trend in the year 2025 and 2026.
Aside the establishment of this Night Club and Art Gallery, which other projects are you currently working on?
I’m working on the repatriation of all my works of 33 years in Europe back to Nigeria. A massive collection of about 800 Sculptures, hundreds of paintings, hundreds of thousands of drawings on paper, larger than Life-size Sculptures, installations and objects. A logistic feat that requires lots of money, time and expertise. This is my time of feeding and replenishing the African civilization after many of Africa’s cultural works were plundered, looted by force and carted away by European Colonizers.
What are your projections and expectations for 2024?
2024 is a thriving year. After the lockdown and the breakout of the Ukrainian/Russian/EuropeanAmerican war. 2024 is going to be a year where positive balance will be cashed by only those people/countries who create a new market for themselves and their trade. It is a year where trade will grow if products are offered at considrable prices. it is also a year where Art has to be interactive with several other aspects of life and style, creating a fluidity that enhances it’s monentary power to break even.
