Another motivating factor was when Professor Solomon Irein Wangboje came to my college and selected the best painting for the cover of his book, ‘Art… - Peju Layiwola

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Another motivating factor was when Professor Solomon Irein Wangboje came to my college and selected the best painting for the cover of his book, ‘Art for Secondary schools’. I was really elated and inspired to see my art on the front cover of a book used by the entire school. When I finally opted to study fine arts, my parents were not excited at all. Even my mother who was an artist told me art was not recognised in Nigeria and that if I wanted to be successful, it was better to study some other course like law. They felt I could do something more ‘prestigious’ and more acceptable in the Nigeria of that time. I insisted because I believed I had enough passion and skill to forge ahead. However they gave me full support while I was in school. I received the best student prize at the University of Benin, the same prize she had received ten years before. My artistic project during the National Youth Service earned me a national award. By this time, I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me I was on the right path.