The new Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis states that the “human formation, being the foundation of all priestly formation, promotes the integral growth of the person and allows the integration of all its dimensions” (no. 94). It continues that, part of the human formation includes “the aesthetic sense.” Therefore, the seminary, in a bid to promote the human formation of her seminarians, chose the night of 29th  April, 2018 to express our sense of art creativity and appreciation.  The events included poetry renditions, fashion parade, fine art exhibitions; pencil fine art and paper arts, engineering (production of inverter) and wood art.

There were two poetry renditions: Omiragua Augustine’s poem centered on the beauty of the Nigerian child, his fears and future in an economically deprived nation; Arome Isaiah gave a lyrical poetry on the love of brotherhood.

There was a fashion display by Soladoye Patrick where he paraded a golden Ankara top and short with a matching black and gold Efik-style headdress on Black-and-Gold sandals which were made from the Ankara material. All these were designed and modeled by him.

There were fine art exhibitions. The following were the Pencil Fine Artists and their works: Robert Paul ­­(The Desolate Mother Eagle, The Shroud of Turin, President Muhammadu Buhari); Ochotu Eugene (Padre Pio, Passion of Christ, Bodija’s Library, St. JohnPaul II, Our Lady); Asore Samuel (Tu Face Idibia (One Love), St. JohnPaul II); Ikwuakam Francis (portraits of Fr. Adugba Emmanuel, Rev. Emedo Raymond, Fr. Anthony Igbekele, Fr. Cephas Magaji).

The Paper Artists: Obasi Benedict (a paper Wall Clock); Attah Sylvester (the Papal Insignia, the Monstrance); Osuntayo Victor (Monstrance); Meli Patrick and Odii Benjamin (framed Coloured Vase). The coloured painting artists are, Okon Peter (Bodija Lane (diminishing view), Water Fall, Venice Bridge, and the Savanna).

Engineering: an Inverter by Samuel Aguele. Singlehandedly  produced, tested and functioned as expected. Carpentry works: Liturgical Bookstand by the seminary’s Carpentry Department.

There were drama presentations to spice up the event. At the end of the exhibition, the entire seminary was filled with awe and wonder,

The Rector, Fr. Francis Obafemi Adesina was pleased with the fruit of this initiative, he characterized the event as a tremendous expression of the Ḥokmah (the Semitic Wisdom) of human creativity and the expression of the human formation of the seminary. He believed that there are several other untapped talents and gifts among the seminarians which should be discovered. Finally, he appealed that the past artworks of the seminary’s alumni be maintained and preserved.