AMAE 2023 will feature Blue Economy Minister Oyetola, former Interior Minister Iheanacho, and UK Government Country Lead, Idongesit Udoh as Headliners

Kathy Kyari

This year's African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) will include Special Guest of Honor, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola CON, the Federal Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, and Chairman, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, the former Federal Minister of Interior.

This edition is a two day event which holds at the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island, Lagos, on the 24th & 25th November 2023 and will be centered on the theme "CONVERGENCE...Maritime Meets ICT".

Mr. Idongesit Udoh, Global Digital Access Program in Nigeria's Country Lead and Program Adviser for the UK Government, will be the guest speaker. He will address the subject of "ICT Disruptions for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy." A panel discussion with professionals from the industry would ensue after this. The display would

The Federal Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola CON, and former Federal Minister of Interior, Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho, would serve as Special Guest of Honour and Chairman respectively, at this year’s edition of African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE).

The event opens on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, 3 Wilmot Point Road, Victoria Island, Lagos at 10 am and continues on Saturday, November 25 under the theme, “CONVERGENCE...Maritime Meets ICT. “

UK Government Country Lead & Programme Adviser and Global Digital Access Programme in Nigeria, Mr. Idongesit Udoh is the Guest Speaker, focusing on the topic: “ICT Disruptions for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy.” This would be followed by panel discussion by industry experts. The exhibition would be curated by Seidougha Linus Eyimiegha, a seasoned artist and curator.

Also expected at the Exhibition are prominent personalities including Mr. Mohammed Bello-Koko, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); Dr Bashir Jamoh OFR, Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA); Dr. Sule Abiodun, Executive Director/CEO, Nigerian Institute for Oceanography & Marine Research, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi OFR, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS); Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Mr. Munirudeen Oyebamiji, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Mr. Akutah Ukeyima, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers' Council (NSC).

The Art Exhibition will showcase five exceptional artists and will formally open at 1pm with a private viewing for Special Guests, according to Program Director Ezinne Azunna, who spoke about the occasion. An interactive work of art and "The Blue Economy in Art for Schools & Children" are two of the exhibition's centerpieces.

In 2022, AMAE was established with the goal of narrating the industry's tales via art, as Azunna believed that art could effectively push the agenda, policies, and causes of the Blue Economy—the backbone of global trade and the system that sustains human existence—into society's awareness.

"Although Marine/Maritime Art is new in Africa, it has thrived in the Western world as a tool for furthering causes and the awareness of opportunities in the industry. AMAE is the singular art exhibition in Africa built around the portraiture of activities and causes around the Marine and Blue Economy using aesthetic and semiotic elements.

“The worth of the Blue Economy in Nigeria is estimated to be about $296bn and to provide opportunity for at least 100 different careers. Africa currently generates about $300 billion for the industry, supporting nearly 50 million jobs. These numbers are projected to continue to rise year in, year out.”

Maritime TV Africa, the company that owns Hazi's Art, is the organizer of AMAE. Its accumulation of maritime landscape photos throughout the years sparked its interest in arts.