NBC DG, Champion Art as a Driver of Nigeria’s Blue Economy at 4th African Maritime Art Exhibition
Kathy Kyari
The transformative power of art took centre stage in Lagos on Tuesday as key industry leaders including the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu underscored the role of creative expression in deepening public understanding of Nigeria’s Blue Economy at the 4th edition of the African Maritime Art Exhibition.
The 4th African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE), themed “A Thousand Words from the Blue,” convened diplomats, marine professionals, artists, and policymakers at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, where conversations converged on one message: art is emerging as a powerful tool for maritime advocacy, diplomacy, and sustainable development.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Nigerian broadcasting community, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu described the exhibition as a vital bridge between the maritime industry and the public.
“When we reflect on the theme for this year, ‘A Thousand Words from the Blue,’ we are reminded of the immense, often silent, narratives that our oceans, seas, and waterways hold,” he said. He noted that while marine policy and data often feel distant to citizens, art has the power “to transcend language barriers, to bypass policy jargon, and to speak directly to the human soul.”
He added that the NBC remains committed to amplifying maritime stories through broadcast content, stating, “By amplifying these ‘thousand words’ through our airwaves, we can foster a deeper national and continental consciousness about the Blue Economy.”
The DG also commended the participating artists, praising them as “educators, advocates, and diplomats,” whose works inspire public reflection and action.
In her welcome address, AMAE Convener and Programme Director, Ezinne Azunna, traced the evolution of the exhibition from a personal photography collection to what she described as a continental platform where “the blue economy meets the creative economy.”
“African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) began four years ago with a modest exhibition here in Lagos,” she said. “But what began as a personal journey soon met a larger call of duty.”
Azunna, who has reported the maritime sector for 21 years, recalled the persistent challenge of limited public understanding of the ocean economy and the shared responsibilities of marine stewardship. This gap, she noted, motivated Maritime TV Africa to go beyond reportage and use art as edutainment—education through creative expression.
“AMAE has grown into more than an exhibition. It is a forum where the Blue speaks,” she said. “Through art, we translate global and regional goals into local, tangible stories that inspire understanding, empathy, and responsible stewardship of the oceans.”
A solemn moment was observed as she announced a one-minute silence in honour of poet and artist Evelyn Osagie, who inspired the newly introduced “Blue Art by Women” segment.
Azunna highlighted AMAE’s alignment with SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and its growing support from INGOs, NGOs, and government institutions including NPA, NIWA, NIOMR, Naval Dockyard, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, and several professional bodies and labour unions.
This year’s exhibition featured 14 artists whose works reimagine maritime realities, from coastal resilience to marine biodiversity, through painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media.
The exhibition, listed as a side event for NIMAREX 2025, runs alongside topical conversations and youth-focused sessions aimed at promoting marine awareness across generations.
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