Ekiti is set to make history as the first state in Nigeria to celebrate the World Art Day this year under the auspices of Network of Ekiti State Creative Artists (NECA).

World Art Day is a globally orchestrated event organised every year on April 15 and in partnership with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to commemorate the birth of the greatest artist that ever lived, Leonardo Davinci.

Although he died in sheer penury, as with most artists and performers of the 18th century, his legacy and works today which includes popular classics such as Mona Lisa are valued in the threshold of billions of dollars in museums in Europe, according to Bonhams, one of Europe’s frontline Art auction houses.

The primary goal of World Art Day is to sensitise and re-orientate the society on the importance and benefits of Art appreciation toward fostering cultural diversity, peace and understanding in the wake of current global turmoil.

Commenting on plans to commemorate this year’s World Art Day, the Chairman of NECA, Prince Caleb Osasona, emphasised that the celebration is underrated in Nigeria due to ignorance and callousness on the part of stakeholders.

“All nations of the world are now jostling for cultural renaissance as it is now imperative that the next tug for relevance will neither be contended with size of their armoury or economic status but by their heritage and Cultural Diplomacy,” he said.

Prince Osasona, who has facilitated content for the likes of UNESCO and Ford Foundation, revealed that all efforts are in top gear for an historic celebration on April 15 this year for Talks, Exhibitions, Walks, and Workshops Children Mask, as well as face painting and musical concert.

“At the event, stakeholders and practitioners such as Promoters, Managers, Drummers, Dancers Musicians, Painters, Visual Artists, Sculptors, Poets, Fashionistas, Magicians, Traditional textile weavers media practitioners shall have ample opportunity to win different prizes, financial grants and sponsorships as part of NECA mandate to build capacity and empower art and cultural sector practitioners across gender and all ethnic divide,” he said.

NECA Financial Secretary, Mr. Adebanji Asha, appreciated the strategic role that Nigeria’s leading online journal, News Express, is playing and solicited more support from all and sundry towards the realisation of NECA’s vision as a non-profit making collective body.

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