Artworks created by school children from across Nigeria's Lagos and Ogun States are currently on display in London.
Tagged - “My Story of Water”, the display showcases 500 jerry cans on to which the children have painted their story of water. It is displayed as a public outdoor exhibition at Oxo Tower Wharf arcade from 1st – 30th September alongside a photo exhibition of the project at London's City Hall, open to the public from 3rd – 16th September.
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My Story of Water
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My Story of Water
“My Story of Water” is an arts education programme bringing together children, young people and teachers from Nigeria with partners around the world to educate and raise awareness of water pollution crisis affecting our environment, climate and waterways and our need to protect them.
38 teachers and 1600 children from Lagos and Ogun States took part in the project which culminated in a presentation at SIWI World Water Week in Stockholm
The on-going exhibitions - part of Totally Thames Festival, is a project of Five Cowries Arts Education Initiative delivered in partnership with Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
A launch was held at City Hall and a Private Evening event at Oxo Tower Wharf, to celebrate the vibrant Diaspora ties between London and Lagos. The events offered "opportunities to strengthen relationships between the two cities and develop cultural exchange programmes that address environmental and climate change issues, with a particular focus on the issues of water transportation."
The Lagos State Government - an Associate Partner of the event was represented at the events by: Mr Jermaine Sanwo-Olu - Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora and Foreign Relations; Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel - MD of LASWA; and Dr Taiwo Olufemi Salaam - Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs.
Photo Credit - Jermaine Sanwoolu
Officials at London's City Hall
At the City Hall launch of "My Story of Water"
Photo Credit - Jermaine Sanwoolu
Work of Lagos School children on display at London's City Hall
Work of Lagos School children on display at London's City Hall
Photo Credit - Dayo Olomu
Celebrating creativity at Oxo Tower London
Celebrating creativity at Oxo Tower London
Five Cowries was co-founded in 2018 by Muralist, Artist, Educator and children’s book Author - Polly Alakija; and Yemisi Mokuolu - a Cultural Entrepreneur, Independent Producer, and CEO of Hatch Ideas.