By Henry Akubuiro
It was yet another honour for the founder of Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos, Dr. Nike Okundaye, on Wednesday, August 10, as the Embassy of the Republic of Korea appointed the iconic Nigerian artist a goodwill ambassador for the 2030 Busan World Expo.
Speaking at the event, the Korean ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-chae, described Okundaye as “one of Nigeria’s most well-known batik and Adire artists. She is a champion of supporting African artists and women, and has held exhibitions internationally. She designed the Nigerian Pavilion at the Expo 2000 in Hannover, Germany.”
In June 2021, it would be recalled, the Republic of Korea submitted a letter of candidature to the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) to organise World Expo 2030 in the Korean city of Busan, based on the theme “Transforming Our World, Navigating Toward a Better Future”.
If successful, the ambassador said the Expo would take place in Busan’s North Port district between 1 May and 31 October, 2030.
Ambassador Young-chae hinted that the goodwill ambassador, Okundayo, would work in close partnership with the Korean Embassy to “deepen and widen the support base for the Busan Expo to her gallery visitors, as well as extend her network of friends and patrons.”
As one of the ten largest economies in the world, Korea is a global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) powerhouse. Korea is leading the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution with technologies in the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, and Smart Mobility. Korea is also a cultural powerhouse. K-culture, encompassing drama, movies, music, and food, has taken the world by storm, enabling Korea to become a global trendsetter in soft power.
In addition, Korea has successfully transformed itself from a developing country into a developed country during the last 60 years. Busan, the candidate city, is Korea’s second-largest city and the largest port city with excellent infrastructure.
Busan also has a well-equipped infrastructure, such as airports and high-speed railways, as well as the world’s second-largest transshipment port, and is easily accessible from anywhere.
According to the ambassador, the city holds unparalleled experiences and unrivaled expertise in hosting international conferences, events, and exhibitions such as the 2002 Asian Games, and the 2005 APEC Summit.
With 40 million tourists visiting the city every year, Busan has been at the forefront of spreading K-culture and holding various cultural events,such as the Busan International Film Festival, and Busan One Asia Festival.
Ambassador Young-chae affirmed that “Busan truly represents and embodies the proposed theme of the World EXPO, ‘Transforming our World’, and this global and mega city has full capacity to host the World EXPO and powerful potential to realise the ideal of the BIE and World Expo.”
With the conferment of the goodwill ambassador, the Korean ambassador said Nike Okundaye would play a vital role in promoting the Republic of Korea and Busan in Lagos, as well as Nigeria and West Africa until the voting day for the 2030 World Expo site selection, scheduled for November 2023.
“The Korean Embassy and Nike Art Gallery will continue to promote cultural cooperation just as they co-hosted the Nigerian Female Art Exhibition held in March, this year,” he added.
Dr. Nike Okundayo, who spoke after the Korean ambassador, thanked the Korean Embassy for the honour, describing the former as “ambassador of the people’’ and a man who would risk his own life just to see the culture of Nigeria,” adding, “He loves Nigeria and Nigeria loves him.”
Nike’s husband, Dr. Reuben Okundaye, in his vote of thanks, expressed delight with the honour bestowed on his wife. He recalled that his wife played a big role in the decoration of the Hannover World Expo, Germany, in 2020, following an invitation.
He reiterated that Ambassador Young-chae was a man of the people, citing an instance when he braved insecurity in parts of Kogi State to visit their hometown, together with a Korean delegation.
“I want to thank you for that confidence you had in us. Nigeria is like anywhere in the world with some security challenges,” he said, even as he praised Korea from transiting from a consumer country to a producer country, the same he prayed for Nigeria. He was optimistic that Busan would win the 2030 bid, especially with the “good luck” of Nike associated with it.
The event was attended by the Korean Company; Dr. Kensington Okundaye, MD. Refund Business Technologies Ltd; Jahman Anikulapo, Executive Programme Director,Culture Advocates Caucus; Prof. Awam Amkpa, Dean of Arts & Humanities, New York University, Abu Dhabi; Dr. Ryan Connor, University of Bristol.
Also present were Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, Dr. Of Arts, University of Lagos; Titi Ogufere, 21st President of the International Federation of Interior Designers Association of Nigeria; Ms. Fluke Micheal, CEO/ Project Director, Solution17 Green; Mrs Abiola Adelana, Head of Tourism, Culture and Arts, Sterling Bank, Judd Lehmann, General manager, The George Hotel, Lagos, among others.