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A 10-day exhibition of documentaries, art, photography and painting on the plight and health hazard of people living on the coastline opened in Lagos on Friday.
The art expo, themed, “Greener Pastures”, focusing on riverine communities of the Epe area, is underway at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, Lagos. Organiser Bolaji Alonge said at the opening of the “Eyes of a Lagos Boy” expo that “Greener Pastures” is a derivative of a pilot study on Lagos Coastal Health that documented the health issues of people living along the lagoon.
“We were struck by the beauty of these untouched settlements, where time seems to standstill.
“Many areas are only reachable by boat, with very limited access to potable water, health and education
“The local economy depends on fishing mainly as well as subsistence farming.
“We aim to make people aware of what is happening in our backyard while allowing them to enjoy the beauty of nature,” Alonge said.
According to him, Epe and its surroundings have huge potential as a tourist destination which is for now unplugged. He said the villagers had been abandoned to their fate, thereby held hostage by the consequences of the race to modernity. “These people need government intervention because they are also residents, who pay their taxes as their own contributions to the economy of Lagos,” Alonge said.
According to him, the documentaries capture never seen images of these riverine communities to give a platform to its inhabitants. The art expo, which remains open until Sept. 26, will also feature workshops for kids and public debate.
