Abeg, make we gist small about wetin dey happen for our culture matter! Ms Esther Oladimeji don burst our brain as she yarn say Nigeria gatz preserve our arts and cultural heritage sharp sharp! She dey talk as the Curator of Hakeem Shitta Photo and Cultural Archive (HSPACA), wey carry plenty historical value wey fit make our national identity stand gidigba.

Oladimeji no just dey flow mouth, she don give us serious gist about wetin this archive represent: e don dey document our culture, politics and social life from 1981 go 1995! Chai, no be small thing! She don talk say late Hakeem Shitta na artist and photojournalist wey sabi serious work before social media come dey reign. Na him capture plenty critical moments for our country wey we fit forget if no be for am.

According to am, during that period, Hakeem manage capture over 180 theatre productions, 81 concerts, 67 exhibitions and 326 human-interest situations. You fit already see say this na serious work wey fit turn our national memory to overtime!

Oshimiri never finish oh! HSPACA get over 6,000 images wey dey showcase Nigerian poets, actors, dancers and filmmakers, all these pipo wey don shape our creative memory. E no be just collection of old photos, na foundation we dey talk! Oladimeji dey shout say dis archive gatz dey recognized more inside and outside Nigeria, so that we fit preserve our history.

She call on government body, scholars and researchers say make dem work together with dis archive. Dis HSPACA dey shine light on our best artists and intellectuals, from their breakthrough moments to how dem take gather knowledge. Na so we go fit stand strong for future generations.

For theatre matter, Hakeem no forget to document big productions wey dey happen for National Theatre and other places. Na him dey talk say important shows like Kongi’s Harvest, The Lion and the Jewel and The Trials of Brother Jero no fit just disappear like that, we gatz preserve am!

HSPACA na treasure wey dey insult ‘use and dump’ mentality. Oladimeji don vex shout out to ministries wey dey handle arts and culture, say make dem partner up to preserve wetin no dey anywhere else for the world. Na wetin dem dey talk say make we no forget wetin define us as Nigerians!