Nigerian, Brazilian 2nd Ladies Visit Nike Art Gallery, Cowries Initiative In Abuja

The wife of the Vice President of Nigeria, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and her Brazilian counterpart, Mrs. Maria Lucia Alckmin, embarked on a cultural tour of the Nike Art Gallery, Abuja, and the 5 Cowries Initiative on Wednesday. The tour was designed to showcase and appreciate Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage in arts and crafts.

According to a statement by the Special Assistant to the President, Media and ICT (OVP) Kwapchi Bata Hamman, the cultural tour was part of activities lined up for the visit of the Second Lady of the Federative Republic of Brazil,  who is in Nigeria alongside her husband, the Vice President of Brazil, H.E. Geraldo Alckmin, for the second phase of the Nigeria–Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism (SDM).

The visit of the South American nation’s second family to Nigeria aims to deepen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in key areas such as defence, agriculture, energy, and cultural exchange.

Renowned artist and gallery founder Oyenike Monica Okundaye led the second ladies on the tour, presenting various artworks and collections by Nigerian artists, including charcoal drawings, paintings, textiles, weaving, and beading.

With over 5,000 artworks, the gallery captures major traditions, stories, and chronicles of Nigerian history, and a reflection of society through sculptures and quilting.

Nike Art Gallery is also widely celebrated for training young artists and fostering creativity while showcasing the natural beauty of Nigeria’s cultural landscape.

The delegation also visited the 5 Cowries Initiative, an education through arts project that integrates artistic expression into learning.

Maria Lucia Alckmin, in the company of Hajiya Nana Shettima, witnessed firsthand how the initiative enhances education and empowers young people through creative engagement.