Pic 1: Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Sola David-Borha giving the welcome address

Pic 2: L-R: Chairman, Stanbic IBTC, Mr. Atedo Peterside CON; Chairman, Africa Industry Group, Mr. Raj Gupta; Mrs. Munisha Gupta; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha

Stanbic IBTC has reiterated her commitment to partnering with other stakeholders to build a thriving arts community in Nigeria inured with entrepreneurial depth to ensure sustainable development.

Speaking at the 2^nd edition of the Stanbic IBTC Fine Arts and The Acts event in Lagos, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings PLC, Mrs. Sola David-Borha, said part of the objective in creating the forum was to foster more collaborations between players in the arts and business communities, leading to the deepening of the entrepreneurship spirit in the sector. The ultimate outcome is to establish a critical mass of creative enterprises across Nigeria, she added.

Pic 3: L-R: Partner & Chief Operating Officer, KPMG, Mr. Victor Onyenkpa; Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Sola David-Borha; Mrs. Sophia Onyenkpa; and Deputy Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle

Pic 4: L-R: Chief Executive, StanbicIBTC Pension Managers Limited, Mr. Eric Fajemisin; Head, Client Coverage Nigeria, StanbicIBTC Bank; and Mr. Sunday Fasubaa

As an African institution with continental experience spanning over 153 years, David-Borha said the Standard Bank Group, to which Stanbic IBTC belongs, is a natural part of Africa’s rich cultural heritage and diversity, which inevitably underlines its growing commitment to providing a solid financial foundation for budding and established creative artists.

Pic 5: L-R: Chief Executive Officer, ARM-Harith Infrastructure Investment, Mr. Opuiyo Ofofriokuma; Chief Executive, Liberty Holdco Nigeria, Mr. Samuel Ogbu; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Capital Limited, Mr. Funso Akere

Pic 6: L-R: Commercial Counsellor, Australian Embassy Nigeria, Ms. Nella Hengstler; Deputy Consul General, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Joerg Steckhan; and Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mrs. Sola David-Borha

“We are quite delighted to put together this year’s event. We undoubtedly have the talent to create spectacle as artistry and creativity come from within. We are also encouraged by the enthusiasm and huge turnout of participants which clearly indicates that our drive to inspire creativity and innovation remains on course,” David-Borha stated.

Pic 7: Chief Executive Officer, Art House Cotemporary Limited, Mrs. Kavita Chellarams giving a presentation entitled ‘Arts as an Asset Class’

She said a similar strategy underscores the group’s multifaceted business model that is designed to meet the needs of a diverse clientele.

The event, themed ‘Inspired by Nigeria’, featured an arts exhibition, comedy and music, drawing an array of performers from Nigeria and abroad. The art exposition featured a wide range of art works from abstract art to photography. Contemporary artistes such as Olumide Oresegun, D Okhai Ojeikere, Kainebi Osahenye and Muraina Oyelami showcased their works, as well as Jumoke Sanwo, Angela Isiuwe, Gerald Chukwuma, Dipo Doherty and Olufemi Oyewole. The art collections of two corporate, Fola Adeola and Dotun Sulaiman were also on display.

Pic 11: South African all-girl band, The Muses, alongside other international and local musical/comic acts helped make the evening even more memorable

Pic 12: Deputy Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Dr. Demola Sogunle giving the closing remarks

Nigeria’s Basketmouth, Ik Osakioduwa (IK) and KennyBlaq, complemented by South Africa’s Mpho Popp, thrilled the audience to very thoughtful comedy while the pair of Ifueko Ogbomo and Michael Meme stirred the night with their vocal renditions. South African all-girl band, The Muses, similarly dazzled with their rich repertoire of contemporary and African music.

Last year’s edition featured paintings by renowned artists, Prof Bruce Onabrakpeya and Victor Ehikhamenor as well as the art collections of Fola Adeola and Adedotun Sulaiman. Celebrated comedians, including Nigeria’s Basketmouth, South Africa-based Ndumiso Lindi and Patrick Idringi, a.k.a Salvado, Uganda’s foremost humour merchant, joined by a rich parade of artistes, including fast-rising music act, The GirlZ Rule Band, and popular instrumentalists The String Quartet, enlivened the gala night with their astounding performances.