For over seven years, my office on the 17th floor wasn’t just a place to work. It was a home for my passion, surrounded by the rhythm of life and the presence of “The Drummer” by Ben Enwonwu. That artwork wasn’t mere decoration; it was a heartbeat, a symbol of the decades I’ve dedicated to preserving and celebrating Nigerian art
This isn’t just about a piece of art. It’s about memory, legacy, and a life devoted to honoring the soul of Nigerian creativity. To see it lost is to feel a part of that story slipping away and I will not let that happen
THE iconic 35-storey NET Building — the tallest in the entire country.
I was just a young project manager when I started its construction, full of hope and ambition. Then came the fire, a gut-wrenching moment that could have broken any dream. But my team and I rolled up our sleeves and rebuilt it. Every brick, every beam, every late night told a story of resilience and unwavering determination.
For over seven years, my office on the 17th floor wasn’t just a place to work. It was a home for my passion, surrounded by the rhythm of life and the presence of “The Drummer” by Ben Enwonwu. That artwork wasn’t mere decoration; it was a heartbeat, a symbol of the decades I’ve dedicated to preserving and celebrating Nigerian art.
When I learned it had disappeared, I felt a pang so deep it almost brought tears to my eyes.
At 88, tears may not come so easily, but the loss hit me like a silent storm. That artwork must be found. I know the care it took to mount it, more than a week of meticulous effort and the effort to dismantle it could not have been less than a day. I was there, and I remember.
This isn’t just about a piece of art. It’s about memory, legacy, and a life devoted to honoring the soul of Nigerian creativity. To see it lost is to feel a part of that story slipping away and I will not let that happen.
- Dr Newton Jibunoh was Chairman of Costain West Africa, and founder, DIDI Museum Lagos; and Nelson Mandela Garden, Asaba, Delta State
