State of Nigeria Live: A Festival of Art, Activism, and Reflection

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Gatefield’s Casutival (Festival for a Cause) just concluded its State of Nigeria Live two-day festival, held on the 13th and 14th of September 2024. Here’s what we thought about the event:

Before the festival began, a film workshop was held to equip participants with the skills needed to create stories that inspire change and use their voices for social activism. The workshop, led by Ishaya Bako and Aisha Salaudeen was highly impactful.

The following day featured an event filled with more notable personalities than one could count. The festivities started around 9 a.m., with volunteers ushering attendees to a reception featuring a Nigerian-shaped sticky-note installation. It was a great way to kick off an event like this. Participants were handed markers to write messages to Nigeria on the notes, and then the fun began.

We were ushered into a hall displaying artwork by talents such as Bara, Daramola, Saidu, Shadrach, and many others. However, the guided art tour wouldn’t take place until later. Further into the large room, there was a cozy, chic gathering space, demurely lit with mats and pillows scattered around. This arrangement was set up for the film screening, and shortly after, it began. 

We started with Everything Must Fall, a documentary by Rehad Desai about the student protests in South Africa. The screening moved me to tears, as did the next film, Where is Chijioke by Chude Jideonwo. It follows Obianuju Ilonaya’s ten-year search for her missing brother, kidnapped in Nigeria. Much like the first film, which featured inputs from someone who witnessed the protests, Obianuju was present in the room with us. We closed with No U-Turn, a film about African immigration by Ike Nnaebue.

For me, the highlight of the first day was the Rant Corner, hosted by Mansah, where people—myself included—got a little too frank about their feelings toward Nigeria. Little did I know, the next day would raise even bigger questions.

We began the second day with African Moot, a documentary by Shameela Seedat following young lawyers in the African Human Rights Moot Court competition. This day resonated deeply with me, particularly because of the delicate conversations that followed the film. Discussions emerged around pan-Africanism and the exclusionary nature of activism in Africa. It felt like the day further reinforced the idea that Nigeria’s future is in our hands, whether we like it or not.

This message was further driven home during the concert. I was particularly excited for this part of the night, having anticipated seeing a few artists for some time. The hall was beautifully decorated, with seating arranged similarly to the film screening, but there was also a graffiti-like wall installation—a reminder of why we were all really there.

When everyone was seated, a surprise screening took place: a teaser for Gatefield’s own documentary ‘The cost of truth’. The panel discussion that followed reiterated the sense of consciousness that came with attending Gatefield. Aisha, the curator, had clearly thought through every aspect of the event, along with the Gatefield organizers, making it feel like a continuous success. The SNL sketch was also a pleasant surprise, with SNL cleverly rebranded as State of Nigeria Live, featuring Jay On-Air and Folu Storms.

The State of Nigeria Live festival was an immersive experience that combined art, film, activism, and music to challenge and inspire its audience. From the thought-provoking discussions to the moving film screenings and the electrifying performances, it became clear that Gatefield curated something truly special. 

Every aspect, from the intimate workshop to the grand concert, was a reminder of the power of storytelling, the importance of activism, and the responsibility we all share in shaping Nigeria’s future. This festival left us not only entertained but deeply reflective, sparking a sense of urgency and hope for what’s to come.

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