Emmanuel Omoregie, an undergraduate of the University of Benin, Ekehuan campus, has received accolades over pictures of the statue of activist Aisha Yesufu he moulded.
Omoregie took to Twitter to reveal that the sculpture was part of the requirements for the award of B.A Fine and Applied Arts.
He said he made the sculpture in Aisha Yesufu’s form to acknowledge her roles towards contemporary activism in Nigeria.
He wrote, “I thank the Lord, for this. I am Omoregie Emmanuel. As part of the requirements for the award of B. A Fine and Applied Arts, I made a stylised figure of Aisha Yesufu to appreciate her roles towards contemporary activism in Nigeria.”
The art was inspired by an iconic photo of Aisha Yesufu which was taken during the #EndSARS protest regarding her bravery in the October 2020 protest.
Nigerian youths had during the #EndSARS protest demanded an end to police brutality. The protest led to the disbanding of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Some Twitter users reacted to Omorogie’s art, hailing him and showing their support for Aisha, a co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement. According to them, she deserves the honour given to her by the sculptor.
See some of the reactions below:
@Tehila_O said, “Aisha deserves this. A queen I stan! More will come. The heroine of our time. This is so touching. God bless you, Emmanuel.”
@Engr_chijioke said, “When Nigeria becomes the land of freedom and progress, @AishaYesufu will always be remembered for her roles and selfless contributions. She is always there, standing on all the gaps. Thank you, Emmanuel, may all you do receive the desired rewards.”
Astonished by Emmanuel’s art, @MancharReigns said, “Can’t believe we have this talent in this country. No wonder they wanted to wipe us down at the tollgate. But mehn, that was awesome. @AishaYesufu you need this at the London museum.”
@Omorogiec said, “Can someone please buy this art and place it at Lekki tollgate? Nowhere else to have this other than that venue.”
