TheCable

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, will be the commissioner of the Nigerian pavilion at the 60th international art exhibition organised by La Biennale di Venezia.

The governor will lead other members of the Nigerian delegation to the exhibition which will take place in the Veneto region of Italy from April 16-18.

A statement issued on Saturday by the state government said Obaseki was nominated by the federal government to lead the delegation “due to Edo’s successes in promoting Nigeria’s culture, arts and heritage”.

“Edo state and its capital city, Benin city, have been a main heritage and cultural artistic hub in Nigeria for centuries and governor Godwin Obaseki has a strong desire to support arts and culture,” the statement reads.

The board of the museum of West African arts and Luca Zaia, president of the Veneto region, are expected to receive Obaseki and other members of the delegation to the Nigerian pavilion.

“This is the very first time a sub-national is leading the Nigerian delegation to such an event. The Veneto region is about the wealthiest and most productive region in Italy with one of the highest gatherings of people of African descent,” the statement reads.

“Edo intends to learn from the Veneto development model that is characterised by strong export-oriented entrepreneurship in traditional economic sectors.

“The Edo state government will collaborate with the government of the region via the signing of a memorandum of understanding to foster sociocultural and economic partnership that will be beneficial to the improved growth, development and productivity of Edo state.”